SF 1686

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a loan forgiveness
program account and program for certain teachers;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [136A.1704] LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR
TEACHERS LICENSED TO INSTRUCT STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL OR
BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation of account. new text end

new text begin A loan forgiveness
program account is established to promote the recruitment and
retention of teachers licensed to instruct students who have
emotional or behavioral disorders. Money appropriated to this
account does not cancel, but is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility for loan forgiveness. new text end

new text begin A student
loan administered by the Higher Education Services Office under
section 136A.16, subdivision 1, may be forgiven if the recipient
graduates from a postsecondary institution with an appropriate
teaching degree, becomes licensed to teach students with
emotional or behavioral disorders as defined in Minnesota Rules,
part 3525.1329, and is employed as a teacher as defined in
section 122A.40 or 122A.41 in Minnesota, with primary
responsibilities to instruct students who are diagnosed with
emotional or behavioral disorders.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Loan forgiveness. new text end

new text begin (a) One-fourth of the
principal of the outstanding loan amount shall be forgiven for
each year of eligible employment or a pro rata amount for
eligible employment during part of a school year, part-time
employment as a substitute teacher, or other eligible part-time
teaching. Loans for $2,500 or less may be forgiven at the rate
of up to $1,250 per year. The following Minnesota schools and
programs are eligible for the purpose of loan forgiveness:
new text end

new text begin (1) a school or program operated by a school district or a
group of school districts;
new text end

new text begin (2) a tribal contract school eligible to receive aid
according to section 124D.83;
new text end

new text begin (3) a charter school;
new text end

new text begin (4) a private school;
new text end

new text begin (5) a Head Start program;
new text end

new text begin (6) an early childhood family education program; or
new text end

new text begin (7) a program providing early intervention services to
children with disabilities who have not entered kindergarten.
new text end

new text begin (b) If an eligible recipient has an outstanding loan
administered by the Higher Education Services Office, the duty
to make payments of principal and interest may be deferred
during any time period the person is enrolled at least one-half
time in an advanced degree program in a field related to
educating students with disabilities or administering special
education services. To defer loan obligations, the person shall
provide written notification to the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Higher Education Services Office shall approve the
loan forgiveness and deferral, and develop procedures to
administer the program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the
Higher Education Services Office for the biennium ending June
30, 2007, for the loan forgiveness program under section 1 for
teachers licensed to instruct students with emotional or
behavioral disorders. This amount is to be deposited in the
loan forgiveness account under section 1, subdivision 1.
new text end