1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; establishing a task force for language immersion 
1.3 	programs for Dakota and Ojibwe language preservation.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TASK FORCE ON TEACHER LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Creation and duties. (a) The Minnesota Board of Teaching shall 
1.7 	develop a task force in collaboration with Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion 
1.8 	programs and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council to identify barriers to teacher 
1.9 	licensing, teacher certification, fluency certification, and licensing for prekindergarten 
1.10 	through grade 12 Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs. The task force shall 
1.11 	focus on changes needed in licensure to ensure the continuation and development of 
1.12 	Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs in Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, 
1.13 	charter schools, private schools, nonprofit organizations, and public schools in Minnesota.
1.14 	(b) Minnesota recognizes the responsibility of the Minnesota tribes to oversee the 
1.15 	revitalization of Dakota and Ojibwe language in the state and shall receive tribal direction 
1.16 	on issues of teacher certification, fluency certification, and licensing of Dakota and Ojibwe 
1.17 	language immersion programs by the Departments of Human Services and Education. 
1.18 	The task force shall also identify strategies to ensure existing funding sources will be used 
1.19 	for Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs.
1.20 		Subd. 2.Report. The task force shall report to the Minnesota Indian Affairs 
1.21 	Council and the legislature by December 15, 2008, on changes needed for licensing and 
1.22 	certification specified in subdivision 1. The task force shall make recommendations to the 
1.23 	legislature on changes required in law to obtain the licensing and certification specified in 
1.24 	subdivision 1.

2.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.