1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education finance; increasing the funding for approved recovery 
1.3 	programs to include two additional approved programs; authorizing grant 
1.4 	expenditures for approved pupil transportation purposes; appropriating money;
1.5 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.695.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.695, is amended to read:
1.8 	124D.695 APPROVED RECOVERY PROGRAM FUNDING.
1.9 		Subdivision 1.Approved recovery program. "Approved recovery program" means a 
1.10 	course of instruction offered by a recovery school that provides academic services, assistance 
1.11 	with recovery, and continuing care to students recovering from substance abuse or 
1.12 	dependency. A recovery program may be offered in a transitional academic setting designed 
1.13 	to meet graduation requirements. A recovery program must be approved by the commissioner 
1.14 	of education. The commissioner may specify the manner and form of the application for 
1.15 	the approval of a recovery school or recovery program. The commissioner must also approve 
1.16 	any unreimbursed pupil transportation costs incurred by students participating in an approved 
1.17 	recovery program.
1.18 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. (a) An approved recovery program is eligible for an annual recovery 
1.19 	program grant of up to $125,000 to pay for a portion of the costs of under this section for
1.20 	recovery program support staff under this section and approved pupil transportation expenses.
1.21 	(b) "Recovery program support staff" means licensed alcohol and chemical dependency 
1.22 	counselors, licensed school counselors, licensed school psychologists, licensed school 
1.23 	nurses, and licensed school social workers.

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

2.2 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; APPROVED RECOVERY PROGRAMS.
 2.3 	$750,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $750,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the 
2.4 	general fund to the commissioner of education for recovery program grants under Minnesota 
2.5 	Statutes, section 124D.695. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in 
2.6 	the second year.