This bill seeks to improve education finance in Minnesota by increasing funding for school safety, expanding local optional aid for schools, and modifying eligibility for state-paid free school lunches. It specifies that free school lunches will be available only to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill introduces new definitions and standards for student meal eligibility, including "enhanced student eligibility standard" and "enhanced student meal," which apply to families earning between 185 and 500 percent of the federal poverty guideline. Additionally, it amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes related to school meals policies and local optional revenue.

The legislation establishes a framework for safe schools revenue, detailing specific aid amounts for school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools based on adjusted pupil units. It mandates that this revenue be allocated for safety-related expenses, such as salaries for peace officers and drug abuse prevention programs, and requires school districts to contract with local police or sheriff departments for these services. The bill also introduces new appropriations for education programs, particularly for safe schools aid and additional local optional aid, with an effective date set for fiscal year 2027 and later, allowing schools time to adjust to the new funding structures and regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 124D.111, 126C.10, 126C.44