This bill modifies various provisions related to educator licensing and standards in Minnesota. It transfers rulemaking authority from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to the commissioner regarding paraprofessional credentials and establishes additional data sharing agreements between the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, the Board of School Administrators, and the Department of Education. The bill also updates professional development requirements for mental health, mandating that licensed teachers renewing their licenses complete at least five hours of focused professional development in student mental health and wellness, replacing the previous requirement of one hour of suicide prevention training.

Additionally, the bill extends the appropriation for information technology costs of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board until June 30, 2029. It includes amendments to various sections of Minnesota Statutes, such as changing the terminology from "mental illness" to "mental health" in several contexts, and it specifies that initial training for teachers must cover a range of topics related to mental health, including warning signs and trauma. The bill aims to enhance the quality of education by ensuring that educators are better equipped to address mental health issues among students and by streamlining the licensing process for educators and paraprofessionals.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.363, 122A.09, 122A.18, 122A.182, 122A.187