The bill modifies the P-TECH grant process in Minnesota by amending existing statutes to include new provisions for implementation, start-up, and mentoring grants. It establishes that P-TECH implementation grants will support various program costs, including recruitment and student support, and allows P-TECH schools to partner with other districts. For fiscal year 2026 and beyond, the maximum support grant is set at $500,000 per year, while new applicants can receive start-up grants up to $50,000. Additionally, grant recipients can provide mentoring and technical assistance to eligible schools, with a cap of $50,000 for these grants. The bill also allows the department to retain five percent of the appropriation for grant administration and oversight.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that the fiscal year 2025 appropriation must include at least $500,000 for a public-private partnership involving Independent School District No. 535 in Rochester. It ensures that any unspent balance from the first year will carry over to the second year and that the fiscal year 2025 appropriation will remain available until June 30, 2027. The base funding for fiscal year 2026 and later is set at $791,000, with a minimum of $500,000 allocated for the support grant to the aforementioned partnership. The new provisions take effect the day after final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 124D.093