HF 2454

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/17/2025 03:00pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a law enforcement grant program to help
recruit and retain law enforcement officers; 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.1245] LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin To help recruit and retain law enforcement officers in
the state, the office must establish a grant program to cover the cost of tuition and fees at
public postsecondary educational institutions for students who satisfy the eligibility
requirements under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings
given:
new text end

new text begin (1) "gift aid" has the meaning given in section 136A.1465, subdivision 1, clause (2);
new text end

new text begin (2) "law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (f);
new text end

new text begin (3) "other expenses" has the meaning given in section 136A.1465, subdivision 1, clause
(3);
new text end

new text begin (4) "peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c);
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new text begin (5) "public postsecondary educational institution" means an institution operated by the
Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents
of the University of Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (6) "total and permanent duty disability" means a condition qualifying for benefits under
section 353.656, subdivision 1a; and
new text end

new text begin (7) "tuition and fees" means the actual tuition and mandatory fees charged by the public
postsecondary institution attended by the eligible student.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual is eligible for a grant under this section if the
individual:
new text end

new text begin (1) applies in the form and manner specified by the office;
new text end

new text begin (2) is a resident student, as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8;
new text end

new text begin (3) is a graduate of a secondary school or its equivalent, or is 17 years of age or older
and has met all requirements for admission as a student to a public postsecondary educational
institution;
new text end

new text begin (4) has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the state
aid application;
new text end

new text begin (5) is enrolled in at least one credit per fall, spring, or summer semester in an
undergraduate certificate, diploma, or degree program at a public postsecondary educational
institution;
new text end

new text begin (6) has not (i) obtained a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) been enrolled for 12 semesters or
the equivalent, excluding courses taken that qualify as developmental education or below
college-level and are subject to subdivision 5, paragraph (b);
new text end

new text begin (7) is not in default, as defined by the office, for any federal or state student educational
loan;
new text end

new text begin (8) is not more than 30 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or
enforced by the public authority responsible for child support enforcement or, is more than
30 days in arrears in court-ordered child support that is collected or enforced by the public
authority responsible for child support enforcement, but is complying with a written payment
agreement under section 518A.69 or order for arrearages;
new text end

new text begin (9) has not been convicted of or pled nolo contendere or guilty to a crime involving
fraud in obtaining federal Title IV funds within the meaning of Code of Federal Regulations,
title 34, section 668.32;
new text end

new text begin (10) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision
10; and
new text end

new text begin (11) is either:
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new text begin (i) a peace officer employed by a Minnesota law enforcement agency;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the dependent child of a peace officer employed by a Minnesota law enforcement
agency; or
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new text begin (iii) the dependent child of an individual who, while employed by a Minnesota law
enforcement agency as a peace officer, suffered a total and permanent duty disability.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (5), an individual who is eligible for a grant
under paragraph (a), clause (11), item (i), must be enrolled in at least one credit per fall,
spring, or summer semester in an undergraduate baccalaureate degree program at a public
postsecondary educational institution in the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, or a
similar field.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Award amount. new text end

new text begin (a) Scholarships must be awarded to eligible students in an
amount equal to 100 percent of tuition and fees after gift aid is deducted.
new text end

new text begin (b) If there is a projected shortfall in available resources, the commissioner may
proportionately reduce awards to keep spending within available resources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duration of grant. new text end

new text begin (a) Each scholarship is for a period of one semester or
equivalent term. A scholarship may be renewed if the eligible student continues to meet the
conditions of eligibility. A grant award is terminated upon failure to meet the eligibility
requirements under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) A student is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility
if the student withdraws from enrollment:
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new text begin (1) for active military service because the student was ordered to active military service
as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c;
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new text begin (2) for a serious health condition, while under the care of a medical professional, that
substantially limits the student's ability to complete the term; or
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new text begin (3) while providing care that substantially limits the student's ability to complete the
term to the student's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The office must determine the time and manner of grant
applications. The office must require an applicant to provide documentation verifying that
the applicant meets the eligibility criteria under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (11).
new text end

new text begin (b) The scholarship must be paid directly to the eligible institution where the student is
enrolled.
new text end

new text begin (c) The office must prepare promotional and informational materials about the grant
program under this section and disseminate the materials to law enforcement agencies
throughout the state. The office and the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training may
collaborate on promotion of the program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for law enforcement grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1245.
new text end