The bill H.F. No. 4024 proposes a series of amendments to higher education provisions in Minnesota, focusing on enhancing student support, particularly in areas such as sexual misconduct, student aid, and institutional regulations. Key provisions include a significant reduction in funding for ALS research from $20 million to $396,000, the establishment of the Kids on Campus initiative with a $500,000 allocation for partnerships with Head Start programs, and new reporting requirements for educational institutions. The bill also introduces a provision that limits the consideration of criminal records during the admissions process, allowing inquiries only after an offer of admission, and prohibits schools from withholding transcripts due to outstanding debts under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill mandates that postsecondary institutions adopt comprehensive policies on sexual misconduct, including clear reporting processes and annual reporting of incident statistics. It requires institutions to publish data on sexual misconduct incidents and provides for training on trauma-informed practices for campus security. The legislation also enhances support for students with disabilities, establishes new criteria for private career schools, and modifies scholarship eligibility criteria, including provisions for foster grants. Significant deletions from current law include the removal of specific accreditation requirements for private career schools and the repeal of certain statutes related to student aid, with an effective date for these changes set for January 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to improve access to higher education and support for students in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 135A.031, 135A.15, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.65, 136A.675, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.828, 136A.829
1st Engrossment: 135A.16, 135A.15, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.65, 136A.675, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.828, 136A.829
2nd Engrossment: 135A.16, 135A.15, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.65, 136A.675, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.828, 136A.829
3rd Engrossment: 135A.15, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.29, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.65, 136A.675, 136A.69, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.824, 136A.828, 136A.829, 135A.16
1st Unofficial Engrossment: 135A.16, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.675, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.828, 136A.829, 135A.15, 136A.645, 136A.65
CCR-HF4024: 135A.16, 135A.15, 136A.091, 136A.1241, 136A.1701, 136A.29, 136A.62, 136A.63, 136A.646, 136A.65, 136A.675, 136A.69, 136A.821, 136A.822, 136A.824, 136A.828, 136A.829