The bill establishes a grant program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J, specifically aimed at expanding capacity in dental assisting and dental hygiene education programs. The commissioner of employment and economic development is tasked with making these grants available to accredited higher education programs, as well as those that have applied for accreditation. Eligible projects for funding include improvements to clinic infrastructure, classroom enhancements, student scholarships, faculty salary increases, and the acquisition of necessary equipment and resources. The commissioner will prioritize applications that demonstrate the potential to significantly increase student enrollment and contribute to the dental workforce pipeline, without favoring one program over the other.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $15 million from the workforce development fund for fiscal year 2026 to support these expanded-capacity grants. This funding is a one-time appropriation and will remain available until June 30, 2027. The legislation aims to bolster the dental education sector in Minnesota, ultimately enhancing the availability of trained professionals in dental assisting and hygiene.