1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; requiring the commissioner of employment 
1.3 	and economic development to study student loan forgiveness programs; requiring 
1.4 	a report; appropriating money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF EMPLOYMENT AND 
1.7 	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS STUDY.
 1.8 	The commissioner of employment and economic development must study existing 
1.9 	student loan forgiveness programs that support essential occupations including but not 
1.10 	limited to personal care assistants, home care service employees, home and community-based 
1.11 	services provider employees, long-term care facility employees, clinical mental health 
1.12 	therapists, nurses, certified nursing assistants, teachers, special education teachers, and 
1.13 	substitute teachers to determine if the existing student loan forgiveness programs are adequate 
1.14 	to meet the long-term workforce needs of the state. When conducting this study, the 
1.15 	commissioner must estimate the number of positions in essential occupations required in 
1.16 	the state in 2030 and estimate the difference between this estimated need and the projected 
1.17 	number of individuals who will occupy such positions. By January 15, 2024, the 
1.18 	commissioner must submit to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
1.19 	committees with jurisdiction over any of the studied occupations a report with the results 
1.20 	of the commissioner's study and recommendations related to enacting strategic growth in 
1.21 	student loan forgiveness programs, whether new or existing, to increase the likelihood that 
1.22 	the state will have adequate numbers of qualified individuals to fill the essential occupations 
1.23 	and to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in essential occupations.

2.1 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS STUDY.
 2.2 	$....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
2.3 	employment and economic development for the student loan forgiveness study. This is a 
2.4 	onetime appropriation.