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SF 2674

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/18/2014 09:47am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to education finance; simplifying the registration process for certain
recipients of early learning scholarships; clarifying the payment process for
certain program providers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement,
section 124D.165, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 124D.165, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Administration.

(a) The commissioner shall establish application
timelines and determine the schedule for awarding scholarships that meets operational
needs of eligible families and programs. The commissioner may prioritize applications on
factors including family income, geographic location, and whether the child's family is on a
waiting list for a publicly funded program providing early education or child care services.

(b) Scholarships may be awarded up to $5,000 for each eligible child per year.

(c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled
in or on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify
the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year
of the program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than
current funding provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of
scholarship slots for that program and notify the program of that number.new text begin A program
qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration process to enroll
scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family income in the same
manner as for other program participants.
new text end

(d) A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has
not been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within ten months of the
awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in
order to be eligible for another scholarship. A child may not be awarded more than one
scholarship in a 12-month period.

(e) A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development
screening under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19 must complete that screening within 90
days of first attending an eligible program.

new text begin (f) A program enrolling scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the
commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment
of state aid. Upon receipt of the application, the commissioner must pay each program
directly for each approved scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to
the metered payment system or another schedule established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end