This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 124D.901, to expand the definition of "student support services personnel" to include licensed special education teachers, specifically those qualified as academic and behavioral strategists or in various special education categories such as developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. The bill also clarifies that student support personnel aid can be utilized for costs associated with these special education teachers, thereby enhancing the support available to students with special needs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the allowed uses of student support personnel aid, which includes hiring new positions, increasing service hours for existing positions, and making temporary positions permanent. It also allows for the use of aid for contracted services if a school district cannot hire a new full-time equivalent position. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subdivision that specifies that costs covered by this aid will not be counted in the calculation of special education expenditures, ensuring that these funds are used effectively without impacting other school revenue calculations. All provisions in the bill are set to take effect for revenue in fiscal year 2027 and later.