SF 3005

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/26/2023 08:57am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; appropriating money for a grant to the Minnesota
Association of Black Lawyers for a pilot program for black Minnesota
undergraduates exploring law school and legal careers; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF BLACK
LAWYERS.
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new text begin (a) $350,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $350,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for a grant to the
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers to be used for a pilot program supporting black
undergraduate students pursuing admission to law school. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) The pilot program under paragraph (a) must:
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new text begin (1) enroll an initial cohort of ten to 20 black Minnesota resident students attending a
baccalaureate degree-granting postsecondary institution in Minnesota full-time;
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new text begin (2) support each of the program's students with an academic scholarship in the amount
of $4,000 per academic year;
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new text begin (3) organize events and programming, including but not limited to one-on-one mentoring,
to familiarize enrolled students with law school and legal careers; and
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new text begin (4) provide the program's students free test preparation materials, academic support, and
registration for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) examination.
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new text begin (c) The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers may use grant funds under paragraph
(a) for costs related to:
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new text begin (1) student scholarships;
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new text begin (2) academic events and programming, including food and transportation costs for
students;
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new text begin (3) LSAT preparation materials, courses, and registrations; and
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new text begin (4) hiring staff for the program.
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new text begin (d) By January 30, 2024, and again by January 30, 2025, the Minnesota Association of
Black Lawyers must submit a report to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education
and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over higher education finance and policy. The report must include an accurate and detailed
account of the pilot program, its outcomes, and its revenues and expenses, including the
use of all state funds appropriated in paragraph (a).
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