SF 351

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/26/2021 09:38am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; providing distance learning aid for families;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. DISTANCE LEARNING AID FOR FAMILIES DUE TO COVID-19.

Subdivision 1.

Program; eligible students.

For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school
years only, a public or nonpublic school student who qualifies for free and reduced-price
lunch and participated in a distance learning program is eligible for distance learning aid
for families.

Subd. 2.

Application.

The parent of an eligible student may apply to the student's resident
school district for distance learning aid for families. The parent may apply for up to $450
per eligible student per school year.

Subd. 3.

Eligible expenses.

Eligible expenses include tutoring services, instructional
materials, online instructional content, software or other educational technology, internet
access and connectivity, classroom supplies, and pupil support services. A parent must
submit receipts for all eligible expenses.

Subd. 4.

Distance learning aid for families; allotment.

Each school year, the
commissioner must allot distance learning aid for families to school districts pursuant to
this section the actual amount of eligible expenses for each eligible student, not to exceed
$450 per student per fiscal year.

Subd. 5.

Vendor.

The commissioner must select a vendor to administer the distance
learning aid for families program. The vendor must be able to facilitate the distribution of
funds electronically, host an online marketplace for families to make eligible purchases,
provide controls to ensure funds are used properly, provide automatic expense tracking and
reconciliation, and provide reporting capabilities. A public school or nonpublic school may
use the vendor under this subdivision to assist a family of an eligible student to verify eligible
expenses and provide payment.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Department of Education.

The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.

Subd. 2.

Distance learning aid for families.

(a) For distance learning instruction aid
for families under section 1.

$

.......

.....

2021

(b) The base for fiscal year 2022 is $........ The base for fiscal year 2023 is $0.

(c) One hundred percent of the aid is payable in the current year.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.