This bill modifies educational assistance for the children and spouses of veterans in Minnesota by amending several sections of the Minnesota Statutes and repealing a specific section related to educational assistance for dependents of prisoners of war or missing in action individuals. Key changes include the definition of "deceased veteran," which now specifies that such a veteran must have died as a result of military service and was a resident of Minnesota either within six months of entering the armed forces or for the six months preceding their death. The definitions of "eligible child" and "eligible spouse" have been expanded to include additional criteria, such as being a resident student and applying for assistance before the end of the academic term.

The bill also establishes new requirements for educational institutions, including the submission of annual reports detailing program activity and the number of students served. It mandates that eligible institutions provide information about veterans' education benefits on their websites. Additionally, the bill ensures that once a person qualifies as an eligible child or spouse, they retain that status regardless of changes in circumstances related to their parent or spouse's military status. The bill appropriates funds necessary to support these educational benefits, with a cap of $6 million per fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 197.75, 197.791, 197.752