This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.44, to increase safe schools revenue and expand its availability to various educational institutions, including charter schools, cooperative units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools. The bill introduces new provisions that allow cooperative units to receive safe schools aid based on the adjusted pupil units of member districts, and it establishes specific safe schools aid calculations for charter schools, nonpublic schools, and American Indian Tribal contract schools. The safe schools aid for these institutions is set at $36 per pupil unit or enrollment, depending on the type of school.

Additionally, the bill outlines the permissible uses of safe schools revenue, which includes funding for security personnel, drug abuse prevention programs, mental health services, and cybersecurity measures. It emphasizes that the revenue must be used directly for these purposes or to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for their services. The bill also specifies that the changes will take effect for revenue starting in fiscal year 2027 and includes an appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Education for safe schools aid.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 126C.44