2nd Engrossment - 83rd Legislature (2003 - 2004) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to education; providing for prekindergarten 1.3 through grade 12 education, including general 1.4 education, education excellence, special programs, 1.5 libraries, and state agencies; providing for 1.6 rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 1.7 13.321, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 1.8 122A.20, subdivision 2; 123B.143, subdivision 1; 1.9 123B.49, subdivision 4; 123B.53, subdivision 6; 1.10 123B.76, by adding a subdivision; 123B.82; 124D.59, as 1.11 amended; 124D.61; 125A.023, subdivision 3; 125A.03; 1.12 127A.42, subdivision 6; 127A.47, subdivision 3; 1.13 134.31, by adding a subdivision; 134.45, subdivision 1.14 5; Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, sections 1.15 120B.024; 120B.36; 123B.77, subdivision 4; 124D.095, 1.16 subdivision 4; 124D.11, subdivision 1; 124D.454, 1.17 subdivision 2; 125A.023, subdivision 4; 127A.42, 1.18 subdivision 2; 275.065, subdivision 1; 475.61, 1.19 subdivision 4; Laws 2003, First Special Session 1.20 chapter 9, article 3, section 19; proposing coding for 1.21 new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 127A; 1.22 repealing Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 126C.23. 1.23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.24 ARTICLE 1 1.25 GENERAL EDUCATION 1.26 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 123B.143, 1.27 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 1.28 Subdivision 1. [CONTRACT; DUTIES.] All districts 1.29 maintaining a classified secondary school must employ a 1.30 superintendent who shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of 1.31 the school board. The authority for selection and employment of 1.32 a superintendent must be vested in the board in all cases. An 1.33 individual employed by a board as a superintendent shall have an 1.34 initial employment contract for a period of time no longer than 2.1 three years from the date of employment. Any subsequent 2.2 employment contract must not exceed a period of three years. A 2.3 board, at its discretion, may or may not renew an employment 2.4 contract. A board must not, by action or inaction, extend the 2.5 duration of an existing employment contract. Beginning 365 days 2.6 prior to the expiration date of an existing employment contract, 2.7 a board may negotiate and enter into a subsequent employment 2.8 contract to take effect upon the expiration of the existing 2.9 contract. A subsequent contract must be contingent upon the 2.10 employee completing the terms of an existing contract. If a 2.11 contract between a board and a superintendent is terminated 2.12 prior to the date specified in the contract, the board may not 2.13 enter into another superintendent contract with that same 2.14 individual that has a term that extends beyond the date 2.15 specified in the terminated contract. A board may terminate a 2.16 superintendent during the term of an employment contract for any 2.17 of the grounds specified in section 122A.40, subdivision 9 or 13. 2.18 A superintendent shall not rely upon an employment contract with 2.19 a board to assert any other continuing contract rights in the 2.20 position of superintendent under section 122A.40. 2.21 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 122A.40, subdivision 2.22 10 or 11, 123A.32, 123A.75, or any other law to the contrary, no 2.23 individual shall have a right to employment as a superintendent 2.24 based on order of employment in any district. If two or more 2.25 districts enter into an agreement for the purchase or sharing of 2.26 the services of a superintendent, the contracting districts have 2.27 the absolute right to select one of the individuals employed to 2.28 serve as superintendent in one of the contracting districts and 2.29 no individual has a right to employment as the superintendent to 2.30 provide all or part of the services based on order of employment 2.31 in a contracting district. The superintendent of a district 2.32 shall perform the following: 2.33 (1) visit and supervise the schools in the district, report 2.34 and make recommendations about their condition when advisable or 2.35 on request by the board; 2.36 (2) recommend to the board employment and dismissal of 3.1 teachers; 3.2 (3) superintend school grading practices and examinations 3.3 for promotions; 3.4 (4) make reports required by the commissioner; and 3.5 (5)by January 10, submit an annual report to the3.6commissioner in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, in3.7consultation with school districts, identifying the expenditures3.8that the district requires to ensure an 80 percent student3.9passage rate on the basic standards test taken in the eighth3.10grade, identifying the highest student passage rate the district3.11expects it will be able to attain on the basic standards test by3.12grade 12, the amount of expenditures that the district requires3.13to attain the targeted student passage rate, and how much the3.14district is cross-subsidizing programs with special education,3.15basic skills, and general education revenue; and3.16(6)perform other duties prescribed by the board. 3.17 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 123B.49, 3.18 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 3.19 Subd. 4. [BOARD CONTROL OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.] 3.20 (a) The board may take charge of and control all extracurricular 3.21 activities of the teachers and children of the public schools in 3.22 the district. Extracurricular activities means all direct and 3.23 personal services for pupils for their enjoyment that are 3.24 managed and operated under the guidance of an adult or staff 3.25 member. The board shall allow all resident pupils receiving 3.26 instruction in a home school as defined in section 123B.36, 3.27 subdivision 1, paragraph (a), to be eligible to fully 3.28 participate in extracurricular activities on the same basis as 3.29 public school students. 3.30 (b) Extracurricular activities have all of the following 3.31 characteristics: 3.32 (1) they are not offered for school credit nor required for 3.33 graduation; 3.34 (2) they are generally conducted outside school hours, or 3.35 if partly during school hours, at times agreed by the 3.36 participants, and approved by school authorities; 4.1 (3) the content of the activities is determined primarily 4.2 by the pupil participants under the guidance of a staff member 4.3 or other adult. 4.4 (c) If the board does not take charge of and control 4.5 extracurricular activities, these activities shall be 4.6 self-sustaining with all expenses, except direct salary costs 4.7 and indirect costs of the use of school facilities, met by dues, 4.8 admissions, or other student fund-raising events. The general 4.9 fund must reflect only those salaries directly related to and 4.10 readily identified with the activity and paid by public funds. 4.11 Other revenues and expenditures for extra curricular activities 4.12 must be recorded according to the "Manual of Instruction for4.13Uniform Student Activities Accounting for Minnesota School4.14Districts and Area Vocational-Technical CollegesManual for 4.15 Activity Fund Accounting." Extracurricular activities not under 4.16 board control must have an annual financial audit and must also 4.17 be audited annually for compliance with this section. 4.18 (d) If the board takes charge of and controls 4.19 extracurricular activities, any or all costs of these activities 4.20 may be provided from school revenues and all revenues and 4.21 expenditures for these activities shall be recorded in the same 4.22 manner as other revenues and expenditures of the district. 4.23 (e) If the board takes charge of and controls 4.24 extracurricular activities, the teachers or pupils in the 4.25 district must not participate in such activity, nor shall the 4.26 school name or any allied name be used in connection therewith, 4.27 except by consent and direction of the board. 4.28 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 123B.53, 4.29 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 4.30 Subd. 6. [DEBT SERVICE EQUALIZATION AID.] (a) A district's 4.31 debt service equalization aid is the sum of the district's first 4.32 tier debt service equalization aid and the district's second 4.33 tier debt service equalization aid. 4.34 (b) A district's first tier debt service equalization aid 4.35 equals the difference between the district's first tier debt 4.36 service equalization revenue and the district's first tier 5.1 equalized debt service levy. 5.2 (c) A district's second tier debt service equalization aid 5.3 equals the difference between the district's second tier debt 5.4 service equalization revenue and the district's second tier 5.5 equalized debt service levy. 5.6 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 123B.76, is 5.7 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 5.8 Subd. 3. [EXPENDITURES BY BUILDING.] (a) For the purposes 5.9 of this section, "building" means education site as defined in 5.10 section 123B.04, subdivision 1. 5.11 (b) Each district shall maintain separate accounts to 5.12 identify general fund expenditures, excluding capital 5.13 expenditures and pupil transportation, for each building. All 5.14 expenditures for regular instruction, secondary vocational 5.15 instruction, and school administration must be reported to the 5.16 department separately for each building. All expenditures for 5.17 special education instruction, instructional support services, 5.18 and pupil support services provided within a specific building 5.19 must be reported to the department separately for each 5.20 building. Salary expenditures reported by building must reflect 5.21 actual salaries for staff at the building and must not be based 5.22 on districtwide averages. All other general fund expenditures 5.23 may be reported on a districtwide basis. 5.24 (c) The department must annually report information showing 5.25 school district general fund expenditures per pupil by program 5.26 category for each building and estimated school district general 5.27 fund revenue generated by pupils attending each building on its 5.28 Web site. For purposes of this report: 5.29 (1) expenditures not required to be reported by building 5.30 shall be allocated among buildings on a uniform per pupil basis; 5.31 (2) basic skills revenue shall be allocated according to 5.32 section 126C.10, subdivision 4; 5.33 (3) other general education revenue shall be allocated on a 5.34 uniform per pupil unit basis; 5.35 (4) first grade preparedness aid shall be allocated 5.36 according to section 124D.081; 6.1 (5) state and federal special education aid and Title I aid 6.2 shall be allocated in proportion to district expenditures for 6.3 these programs by building; and 6.4 (6) other general fund revenues shall be allocated on a 6.5 uniform per pupil basis, except that the department may allocate 6.6 other revenues attributable to specific buildings directly to 6.7 those buildings. 6.8 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 6.9 following final enactment and applies to reports for fiscal year 6.10 2004 and later. 6.11 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 6.12 123B.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 6.13 Subd. 4. [BUDGET APPROVAL.] Prior to July 1 of each year, 6.14 the board of each district must approve and adopt its revenue 6.15 and expenditure budgets for the next school year. The budget 6.16 document so adopted must be considered an 6.17 expenditure-authorizing or appropriations document. No funds 6.18 shall be expended by any board or district for any purpose in 6.19 any school year prior to the adoption of the budget document 6.20 which authorizes that expenditure, or prior to an amendment to 6.21 the budget document by the board to authorize the expenditure. 6.22 Expenditures of funds in violation of this subdivision shall be 6.23 considered unlawful expenditures. Prior to the appropriation of 6.24 revenue for the next school year in the initial budget, the 6.25 board shallcalculate the general education revenue, basic6.26skills revenue, and referendum revenue for that year that it6.27estimates will be generated by the pupils in attendance at each6.28site, and shallinform the principal or other responsible 6.29 administrative authority of each site ofthat estimate and6.30report this information tothe amount of general education and 6.31 referendum revenue that the Department of Education estimates 6.32 will be generated by the pupils in attendance at each site. For 6.33 purposes of this subdivision, a district may adjust the 6.34 department's estimates for school building openings, school 6.35 building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or 6.36 other changes in programs or student demographics not reflected 7.1 in the department's calculations. A district must report to the 7.2 department any adjustments it makes according to this 7.3 subdivision in the department's estimates of compensatory 7.4 revenue generated by the pupils in attendance at each site, and 7.5 the department must use the adjusted compensatory revenue 7.6 estimates in preparing the report required under section 7.7 123B.76, subdivision 3, paragraph (c). 7.8 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 7.9 following final enactment and applies to reports for fiscal year 7.10 2005 and later. 7.11 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 123B.82, is 7.12 amended to read: 7.13 123B.82 [REORGANIZATION OPERATING DEBT.] 7.14 The "reorganization operating debt" of a school district 7.15 means the net negative undesignated fund balance in all school 7.16 district funds, other thancapital expenditure,building 7.17 construction, debt redemption, and trust and agency, calculated 7.18 in accordance with the uniform financial accounting and 7.19 reporting standards for Minnesota school districts as of: 7.20 (1) June 30 of the fiscal year before the first year that a 7.21 district receives revenue according to section 123A.39, 7.22 subdivision 3; or 7.23 (2) June 30 of the fiscal year before the effective date of 7.24 reorganization according to section 123A.46 or 123A.48. 7.25 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 7.26 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 7.27 Subdivision 1. [GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE.] (a) General 7.28 education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it 7.29 were a district. The general education revenue for each 7.30 adjusted marginal cost pupil unit is the state average general 7.31 education revenue per pupil unit, plus the referendum 7.32 equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence, 7.33 minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance 7.34 according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, 7.35 calculated without basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, 7.36 transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, plus 8.1 basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, and transition 8.2 revenue as though the school were a school district. 8.3 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for charter schools in 8.4 the first year of operation, general education revenue shall be 8.5 computed using the number of adjusted pupil units in the current 8.6 fiscal year. 8.7 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 8.8 following final enactment and applies to revenue for fiscal year 8.9 2004 and later. 8.10 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 8.11 124D.454, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 8.12 Subd. 2. [DEFINITIONS.] For the purposes of this section, 8.13 the definitions in this subdivision apply. 8.14 (a) "Base year" means the second fiscal year preceding the 8.15 fiscal year for which aid will be paid. 8.16 (b) "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it in section 8.17 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of computing basic 8.18 revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a disability 8.19 shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1. 8.20 (c) "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in 8.21 section 126C.05. 8.22 (d) "Program growth factor" means 1.00 for fiscal year 1998 8.23 and later. 8.24 (e) "Aid percentage factor" means 100 percent for fiscal 8.25 year 2000 and later. 8.26 (f) "Essential personnel" means a licensed teacher, 8.27 licensed support services staff person, paraprofessional 8.28 providing direct services to students, or licensed personnel 8.29 under subdivision 12, paragraph (c). This definition is not 8.30 intended to change or modify the definition of essential 8.31 employee in chapter 179A. 8.32 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 8.33 127A.42, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 8.34 Subd. 2. [VIOLATIONS OF LAW.] (a) The commissioner may 8.35 reduce or withhold the district's state aid for any school year 8.36 whenever the board of the district authorizes or permits 9.1 violations of law within the district by: 9.2 (1) employing a teacher who does not hold a valid teaching 9.3 license or permit in a public school; 9.4 (2) noncompliance with a mandatory rule of general 9.5 application promulgated by the commissioner in accordance with 9.6 statute, unless special circumstances make enforcement 9.7 inequitable, impose an extraordinary hardship on the district, 9.8 or the rule is contrary to the district's best interests; 9.9 (3) the district's continued performance of a contract made 9.10 for the rental of rooms or buildings for school purposes or for 9.11 the rental of any facility owned or operated by or under the 9.12 direction of any private organization, if the contract has been 9.13 disapproved, the time for review of the determination of 9.14 disapproval has expired, and no proceeding for review is 9.15 pending; 9.16 (4) any practice which is a violation of sections 1 and 2 9.17 of article 13 of the Constitution of the state of Minnesota; 9.18 (5) failure to reasonably provide for a resident pupil's 9.19 school attendance under Minnesota Statutes; 9.20 (6) noncompliance with state laws prohibiting 9.21 discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, national 9.22 origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public 9.23 assistance or disability, as defined in sections 363A.08 to 9.24 363A.19 and 363A.28, subdivision 10; or 9.25 (7) using funds contrary to the statutory purpose of the 9.26 funds. 9.27 (b) If a district does not submit audited financial data or 9.28 an audited financial statement according to section 123B.77, 9.29 subdivision 3, the commissioner may withhold the district's 9.30 state aid for the school year until the audited financial data 9.31 or an audited financial statement have been submitted to the 9.32 commissioner. 9.33 (c) The reduction or withholding must be made in the amount 9.34 and upon the procedure provided in this section. 9.35 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 9.36 following final enactment and applies to audited financial data 10.1 and audited financial statements for fiscal year 2004 and later. 10.2 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 127A.42, 10.3 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 10.4 Subd. 6. [VIOLATION; AID REDUCTION OR WITHHOLDING.] The 10.5 commissioner shall not reduce or withhold state aids payable to 10.6 the district if the violation specified is corrected within the 10.7 time permitted, or if the audited financial data or an audited 10.8 financial statement is submitted according to section 123B.77, 10.9 subdivision 3, or if the commissioner on being notified of the 10.10 district board's decision to dispute decides the violation does 10.11 not exist, or if the commissioner decides after hearing no 10.12 violation specified in the commissioner's notice existed at the 10.13 time of the notice, or that the violations were corrected within 10.14 the time permitted. Otherwise state aids payable to the 10.15 district for the year in which the violation occurred may be 10.16 reduced or withheld as follows: The total amount of state aids 10.17 to which the district may be entitled shall be reduced or 10.18 withheld in the proportion that the period during which a 10.19 specified violation continued, computed from the last day of the 10.20 time permitted for correction, bears to the total number of days 10.21 school is held in the district during the year in which a 10.22 violation exists, multiplied by up to 60 percent of the basic 10.23 revenue, as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 2, of the 10.24 district for that year. 10.25 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 127A.47, 10.26 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 10.27 Subd. 3. [REVENUE FOR CHILDREN OF DIVORCED OR LEGALLY 10.28 SEPARATED PARENTS OR PARENTS RESIDING SEPARATELY.] (a) In those 10.29 instances when the divorced or legally separated parents or 10.30 parents residing separately share joint physical custody of the 10.31 child and the divorced or legally separated parents or parents 10.32 residing separately reside in different school districts, for 10.33 all school purposes, unless otherwise specifically provided by 10.34 law, the child must be considered a resident of the school 10.35 district, as indicated by the child's parents. 10.36 (b) When the child of divorced or legally separated parents 11.1 or parents residing separately under paragraph (a) resides with 11.2 each parent on alternate weeks, the parents shall be responsible 11.3 for the transportation of the child to the border of the 11.4 resident school district during those weeks when the child 11.5 resides in the nonresident school district. 11.6 Sec. 12. [127A.52] [CROSS-SUBSIDY REPORTS.] 11.7 By January 30 each year, the commissioner must estimate how 11.8 much each district cross-subsidized the cost of special 11.9 education and basic skills programs with general education 11.10 revenue during the fiscal year ending on June 30 of the previous 11.11 year. The commissioner must make the cross-subsidy estimates 11.12 available to all districts and the public by posting the 11.13 cross-subsidy reports on the department's Web site. 11.14 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 11.15 275.065, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 11.16 Subdivision 1. [PROPOSED LEVY.] (a) Notwithstanding any 11.17 law or charter to the contrary, on or before September 15, each 11.18 taxing authority, other than a school district, shall adopt a 11.19 proposed budget and shall certify to the county auditor the 11.20 proposed or, in the case of a town, the final property tax levy 11.21 for taxes payable in the following year. 11.22 (b) On or before September 30, each school district shall 11.23 certify to the county auditor the proposed property tax levy for 11.24 taxes payable in the following year. The school district shall 11.25 certify the proposed levy as: 11.26 (1)the state determined school levy amount as prescribed11.27under section 126C.13, subdivision 2;a specific dollar amount 11.28 by school district fund, broken down between voter-approved and 11.29 non-voter-approved levies and between referendum market value 11.30 and tax capacity levies; or 11.31 (2)voter approved referendum and debt levies; and11.32(3) the sum of the remaining school levies, orthe maximum 11.33 levy limitation certified by the commissioner of education 11.34 according to section 126C.48, subdivision 1, less the amounts11.35levied under clauses (1) and (2). 11.36 (c) If the board of estimate and taxation or any similar 12.1 board that establishes maximum tax levies for taxing 12.2 jurisdictions within a first class city certifies the maximum 12.3 property tax levies for funds under its jurisdiction by charter 12.4 to the county auditor by September 15, the city shall be deemed 12.5 to have certified its levies for those taxing jurisdictions. 12.6 (d) For purposes of this section, "taxing authority" 12.7 includes all home rule and statutory cities, towns, counties, 12.8 school districts, and special taxing districts as defined in 12.9 section 275.066. Intermediate school districts that levy a tax 12.10 under chapter 124 or 136D, joint powers boards established under 12.11 sections 123A.44 to 123A.446, and Common School Districts No. 12.12 323, Franconia, and No. 815, Prinsburg, are also special taxing 12.13 districts for purposes of this section. 12.14 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 12.15 475.61, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 12.16 Subd. 4. [SURPLUS FUNDS.] (a) All such taxes shall be 12.17 collected and remitted to the municipality by the county 12.18 treasurer as other taxes are collected and remitted, and shall 12.19 be used only for payment of the obligations on account of which 12.20 levied or to repay advances from other funds used for such 12.21 payments, except that any surplus remaining in the debt service 12.22 fund when the obligations and interest thereon are paid may be 12.23 appropriated to any other general purpose by the municipality. 12.24 However, the amount of any surplus remaining in the debt service 12.25 fund of a school district when the obligations and interest 12.26 thereon are paid shall be used to reduce the general fund levy 12.27 authorized pursuant to chapters 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, and 126C 12.28 and the state aids authorized pursuant to chapters 122A, 123A, 12.29 123B, 124D, 125A, 126C, and 127A. 12.30 (b) If the district qualified for second tier debt service 12.31 equalization aid in the last year that it qualified for debt 12.32 service equalization aid, the reduction to state aids equals the 12.33 lesser of (1) the amount of the surplus times the ratio of the 12.34 district's second tier debt service equalization aid to the 12.35 district's second tier debt service equalization revenue for the 12.36 last year that the district qualified for debt service 13.1 equalization aid; or (2) the district's cumulative amount of 13.2 debt service equalization aid. If the district did not qualify 13.3 for second tier debt service equalization aid in the last year 13.4 that it qualified for debt service equalization aid, the 13.5 reduction to state aids equals the lesser of (1) the amount of 13.6 the surplus times the ratio of the district's debt service 13.7 equalization aid to the district's debt service equalization 13.8 revenue for the last year that the district qualified for debt 13.9 service equalization aid; or (2) the district's cumulative 13.10 amount of debt service equalization aid. 13.11 (c) The reduction to the general fund levy equals the total 13.12 amount of the surplus minus the reduction to state aids. 13.13 Sec. 15. [REPEALER.] 13.14 Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 126C.23, is repealed. 13.15 ARTICLE 2 13.16 EDUCATION EXCELLENCE 13.17 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 13.321, 13.18 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 13.19 Subdivision 1. [SCOPE.] The sections referred to in 13.20 subdivisions 2 to910 are codified outside this chapter. Those 13.21 sections classify prekindergarten to grade 12 educational data 13.22 as other than public, place restrictions on access to government 13.23 data, or involve data sharing. 13.24 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 13.25 following final enactment. 13.26 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 13.321, is 13.27 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 13.28 Subd. 10. [SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY.] Data involving school 13.29 performance report cards and data involving adequate yearly 13.30 progress determinations are governed by section 120B.36. 13.31 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 13.32 following final enactment. 13.33 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 13.34 120B.024, is amended to read: 13.35 120B.024 [GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.] 13.36 Subdivision 1. [REQUIRED NUMBER OF COURSE CREDITS.] 14.1 Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and 14.2 later must successfully complete the following high school level 14.3 course credits for graduation: 14.4 (1) four credits of language arts; 14.5 (2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least 14.6 algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability sufficient to 14.7 satisfy the academic standard; 14.8 (3) three credits of science, including at least one credit 14.9 in biology; 14.10 (4) three and one-half credits of social studies,including14.11 encompassing at leastone credit ofUnited States history,one14.12credit ofgeography,0.5 credits ofgovernment and citizenship, 14.130.5 credits ofworld history, and0.5 credits ofeconomics; and 14.14 (5) a minimum of eight elective course credits, including 14.15 at least one credit in the arts. 14.16 A course credit is equivalent to a student's successful 14.17 completion of an academic year of study or a student's mastery 14.18 of the applicable subject matter, as determined by the local 14.19 school district. 14.20 Subd. 2. [RIGOROUS COURSE OF STUDY; WAIVER.] (a) Upon 14.21 receiving a student's application approved by the student's 14.22 parent or guardian, and with the recommendation of the student's 14.23 teacher, a school district, area learning center, or charter 14.24 school must declare that a student has completed a content 14.25 standard if the local school board, the school board of the 14.26 school district in which the area learning center is located, or 14.27 charter school board of directors determines that: 14.28 (1) the student is participating in a course of study 14.29 including an advanced placement or international baccalaureate 14.30 course or a learning opportunity outside the curriculum of the 14.31 district, area learning center, or charter school that is 14.32 equally or more rigorous than the academic standard required by 14.33 the district, area learning center, charter school, or the state 14.34 required academic standards; and 14.35 (2) completing the grade-level benchmarks of the required 14.36 academic standards to be waived would preclude the student from 15.1 participating in the rigorous course of study or learning 15.2 opportunity. 15.3 (b) A student who satisfactorily completes a postsecondary 15.4 enrollment options course or program under section 124D.09, that 15.5 has been approved under paragraph (c), is not required to 15.6 complete other requirements of the required academic standards 15.7 corresponding to that specific rigorous course of study. 15.8 (c) By August 15, 2004, and each year thereafter, the Board 15.9 of Regents of the University of Minnesota, the Board of Trustees 15.10 of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the 15.11 governing boards of Minnesota private colleges shall determine 15.12 the courses offered at each postsecondary institution under the 15.13 postsecondary enrollment options program that meet the 15.14 requirements of paragraph (a) and shall notify the commissioner 15.15 of those courses offered that meet the requirements. The 15.16 commissioner shall make available a listing of the postsecondary 15.17 enrollment options courses offered at postsecondary institutions 15.18 meeting the requirements of this section. 15.19 (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) or (b), a student who 15.20 entered ninth grade before the 2003-2004 school year and 15.21 satisfactorily completes an advanced placement or international 15.22 baccalaureate course, or a postsecondary enrollment options 15.23 course under section 124D.09, satisfies the requirements of the 15.24 required academic standards corresponding to that specific 15.25 rigorous course of study. 15.26 Sec. 4. [120B.131] [GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM 15.27 DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENT IDENTIFICATION.] 15.28 Subdivision 1. [PURPOSE.] The legislature finds that it is 15.29 critical for gifted and talented students to be identified and 15.30 appropriately served. 15.31 Subd. 2. [STUDENT IDENTIFICATION.] School districts are 15.32 strongly encouraged to identify and assess students for possible 15.33 placement in appropriate gifted and talented educational 15.34 services. Consideration in student identification includes: 15.35 (1) balance of multiple objective and subjective criteria, 15.36 which may include performances as well as test results; 16.1 (2) ongoing, comprehensive district assessment system that 16.2 guides instruction and services offered; 16.3 (3) use of assessment instruments and procedures that are 16.4 valid and reliable and based on current theory and research; 16.5 (4) placement decisions that are fair and consistent, 16.6 valid, and reliable; 16.7 (5) provisions for informed consent, retention, 16.8 reassessment, exiting, and appeals; 16.9 (6) an open process available to all students; and 16.10 (7) an identification process and collected information 16.11 shared with parents educational staff, and students themselves. 16.12 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 16.13 120B.36, is amended to read: 16.14 120B.36 [SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY; APPEALS PROCESS.] 16.15 Subdivision 1. [SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT CARDS.] (a) The 16.16 commissioner shall use objective criteria based on levels of 16.17 student performance to identify four to six designations 16.18 applicable to high and low performing public schools. The 16.19 objective criteria shall include at least student academic 16.20 performance, school safety, and staff characteristics, with a 16.21 value-added growth component added by the 2006-2007 school year. 16.22 (b) The commissioner shall develop, annually update, and 16.23 post on the department Web site school performance report cards. 16.24 A school's designation must be clearly stated on each school 16.25 performance report card. 16.26 (c) The commissioner must make available the first school 16.27 designations and school performance report cards by November 16.28 2003, and during the beginning of each school year thereafter. 16.29 (d) A school or district may appeal in writing a 16.30 designation under this section to the commissioner within 30 16.31 days of receiving the designation. The commissioner's decision 16.32 to uphold or deny an appeal is final. 16.33 (e) School performance report cards are nonpublic data 16.34 under section 13.02, subdivision 9, until the department posts 16.35 the data to its public Web site. The department shall annually 16.36 post school performance report cards to its public Web site no 17.1 later than September 1. 17.2 Subd. 2. [ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS DATA.] All data the 17.3 department receives, collects, or creates for purposes of 17.4 determining adequate yearly progress designations under Public 17.5 Law 107-110, section 1116, are nonpublic data under section 17.6 13.02, subdivision 9, until the department posts the results of 17.7 its determinations concerning yearly progress designations to 17.8 its public Web site. Districts must provide parents 17.9 sufficiently detailed summary data to permit parents to appeal 17.10 under Public Law 107-110, section 1116(b)(2). The department 17.11 shall annually post adequate yearly progress data to its public 17.12 Web site no later than September 1. 17.13 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 17.14 following final enactment. 17.15 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 124D.59, as 17.16 amended by Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 9, article 17.17 1, section 13, is amended to read: 17.18 124D.59 [DEFINITIONS.] 17.19 Subdivision 1. [GENERALLY.] For purposes of sections 17.20 124D.58 to 124D.65, the terms defined in this section shall have 17.21 the meanings given them. 17.22 Subd. 1a. [PRIMARY LANGUAGE.] "Primary language" means a 17.23 language other than English which is the language normally used 17.24 by the child or the language which is spoken in the child's home 17.25 environment. A pupil's primary language as declared by a parent 17.26 or guardian shall be deemed to be a language other than English 17.27 if: 17.28 (1) the pupil first spoke a language other than English; 17.29 (2) the primary language spoken in the home of the pupil is 17.30 not English; or 17.31 (3) the language most often spoken by the pupil is not 17.32 English. 17.33 The primary language of each student, regardless of 17.34 proficiency status, must be determined with a home language 17.35 questionnaire the first time that student enrolls in the 17.36 district. 18.1 Subd. 1b. [LANGUAGE MINORITY STUDENT.] A "language 18.2 minority student" means a pupil in kindergarten through grade 12 18.3 who has a primary language other than English. 18.4 Subd. 2. [PUPIL OF LIMITEDENGLISHPROFICIENCYLANGUAGE 18.5 LEARNER.] (a) "Pupil of limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage 18.6 learner" means a pupilin kindergarten through grade 12who 18.7 meets the following requirements: 18.8 (1) the pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian first18.9learned a language other than English, comes from a home where18.10the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually18.11speaks a language other than Englishis a language minority 18.12 student as defined in subdivision 1b; and 18.13 (2) the pupil is determined by developmentally appropriate 18.14 measures, which might include observations, teacher judgment, 18.15 parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate 18.16 assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to 18.17 participate fully in classes taught in English. 18.18 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a pupil in grades 4 18.19 through 12 who was enrolled in a Minnesota public school on the 18.20 dates during the previous school year when a commissioner 18.21 provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic 18.22 English was administered, shall not be counted asa pupil of18.23limitedan Englishproficiencylanguage learner in calculating 18.24limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learner pupil units under 18.25 section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate 18.26 statelimitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learner aid under 18.27 section 124D.65, subdivision 5, unless the pupil scored below 18.28 the state cutoff score on an assessment measuring emerging 18.29 academic English provided by the commissioner during the 18.30 previous school year. 18.31 (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pupil in 18.32 kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be counted asa pupil of18.33limitedan Englishproficiencylanguage learner in calculating 18.34limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learner pupil units under 18.35 section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate 18.36 statelimitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learner aid under 19.1 section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if: 19.2 (1) the pupil is not enrolled during the current fiscal 19.3 year in an educational program forpupils of limitedEnglish 19.4proficiencylanguage learners in accordance with sections 19.5 124D.58 to 124D.64; or 19.6 (2) the pupil has generated five or more years of average 19.7 daily membership in Minnesota public schools since July 1, 1996. 19.8 Subd. 2a. [TRANSITIONAL LANGUAGE LEARNER.] "Transitional 19.9 language learner" means a pupil who meets the following 19.10 requirements: 19.11 (1) the pupil is a language minority student; 19.12 (2) the pupil has received scores indicating attainment of 19.13 English proficiency on a test of English language acquisition 19.14 approved by the commissioner; and 19.15 (3) the pupil has not scored in the proficient level on the 19.16 state reading assessment aligned with the state academic 19.17 standards three times, or for as many times as the state reading 19.18 assessment is given during the pupil's last three academic years 19.19 in a Minnesota school. 19.20 Subd. 2b. [FLUENT LANGUAGE LEARNER.] "Fluent language 19.21 learner" means a pupil in kindergarten through grade 12 who 19.22 meets the following requirements: 19.23 (1) the pupil is a language minority student; 19.24 (2) the pupil has received scores indicating attainment of 19.25 English proficiency on a test of English language acquisition 19.26 approved by the commissioner; and 19.27 (3) the pupil has scored in the proficient level on the 19.28 state reading assessment aligned with the state academic 19.29 standards three times, or for as many times as the state reading 19.30 assessment is given during the pupil's last three academic years 19.31 in a Minnesota school. 19.32 Subd. 3. [ESSENTIAL INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL.] "Essential 19.33 instructional personnel" means the following: 19.34 (1) a teacher licensed by the state Board of Teaching to 19.35 teach bilingual education or English as a second language; 19.36 (2) a teacher with an exemption from a teaching license 20.1 requirement pursuant to section 124D.62 who is employed in a 20.2 school district's English as a second language or bilingual 20.3 education program;20.4(3) any teacher as defined in section 122A.15 who holds a20.5valid license from the state Board of Teaching, if the district20.6assures the department that the teacher will obtain the20.7preservice and in-service training the department considers20.8necessary to enable the teacher to provide appropriate service20.9to pupils of limited English proficiency. 20.10 Subd. 4. [ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM.] "English 20.11 as a second language program" means a program for the 20.12 instruction ofpupils of limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage 20.13 learners in the following English language skills: reading, 20.14 writing, listening and speaking. 20.15 Subd. 5. [BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM.] "Bilingual 20.16 education program" means an educational program in which 20.17 instruction is given in both English and the primary language of 20.18 thepupil of limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learner to the 20.19 extent necessary to allow the pupil to progress effectively 20.20 through the educational system and to attain the basic skills of 20.21 reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the English 20.22 language so that the pupil will be able to perform ordinary 20.23 classwork successfully in English. 20.24Subd. 6. [PRIMARY LANGUAGE.] "Primary language" means a20.25language other than English which is the language normally used20.26by the child or the language which is spoken in the child's home20.27environment.20.28 Subd. 7. [PARENT.] "Parent" includes a child's legal 20.29 guardian. 20.30 Subd. 8. [EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FORPUPILS OF LIMITED20.31 ENGLISHPROFICIENCYLANGUAGE LEARNERS.] "Educational program for 20.32pupils of limitedEnglishproficiencylanguage learners" means 20.33 an English as a second language program, bilingual education 20.34 program, or both an English as a second language and a bilingual 20.35 education program. 20.36 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 124D.61, is 21.1 amended to read: 21.2 124D.61 [GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAMS.] 21.3 (a) A districtwhich receives aid pursuant to section21.4124D.65that enrolls one or more English language learners must 21.5 comply with thefollowingprogram requirements:under paragraphs 21.6 (b) and (c). 21.7 (b) A district must implement an educational program for 21.8 English language learners if one or more English language 21.9 learners are enrolled in the district. 21.10 (c) An educational program for English language learners 21.11 must meet the following requirements: 21.12 (1) entrance and exit criteria must be documented by the 21.13 district, applied uniformly to English language learners, and 21.14 made available to parents and other stakeholders upon request; 21.15 (2) the curriculum of the educational program for English 21.16 language learners must be coordinated with the mainstream 21.17 curriculum in which the English language learners are involved 21.18 and must be consistent with standards set forth by the 21.19 commissioner; 21.20 (3) the amount of service offered English language learners 21.21 through an educational program specifically for English language 21.22 learners must be designed to meet varying student needs across 21.23 English proficiency levels; 21.24(1)(4) to the extent possible, the district must avoid 21.25 isolatingchildren of limited English proficiencyEnglish 21.26 language learners for a substantial part of the school day; and 21.27(2)(5) in predominantly nonverbal subjects, such as art, 21.28 music, and physical education,pupils of limited English21.29proficiencyEnglish language learners shall be permitted to 21.30 participate fully and on an equal basis with their 21.31 contemporaries in public school classes provided for these 21.32 subjects. To the extent possible, the district must assure to 21.33 pupils enrolled ina program for limited English proficient21.34studentsan education program for English language learners an 21.35 equal and meaningful opportunity to participate fully with other 21.36 pupils in all extracurricular activities. 22.1 Sec. 8. [RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.] 22.2 Subdivision 1. [SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS.] 22.3 The commissioner of education shall adopt rules under Minnesota 22.4 Statutes, chapter 14, making permanent the supplemental 22.5 education service provider exempt rules authorized under Laws 22.6 2003, chapter 129, article 2, section 3. 22.7 Subd. 2. [STATEWIDE TESTING.] The commissioner of 22.8 education shall adopt rules under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 22.9 14, for the administration of statewide accountability tests 22.10 under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, to ensure security 22.11 and integrity of the tests and test results. 22.12 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the day 22.13 following final enactment. 22.14 Sec. 9. [REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.] 22.15 In Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules, the revisor of 22.16 statutes shall change the terms and phrases "pupil of limited 22.17 English proficiency," "limited English proficiency," "individual 22.18 students whose first language is not English," "the limited 22.19 English speaking children," "those for whom English is a second 22.20 language," "persons for whom English is a second language," "of 22.21 pupils known to speak English as a second language," and similar 22.22 terms and phrases to "English language learners" where 22.23 appropriate. 22.24 ARTICLE 3 22.25 SPECIAL PROGRAMS 22.26 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 22.27 124D.095, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 22.28 Subd. 4. [ON-LINE LEARNING PARAMETERS.] (a) An on-line 22.29 learning student must receive academic credit for completing the 22.30 requirements of an on-line learning course or program. 22.31 Secondary credits granted to an on-line learning student must be 22.32 counted toward the graduation and credit requirements of the 22.33 enrolling district. The enrolling district must apply the same 22.34 graduation requirements to all students, including on-line 22.35 learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic 22.36 services to on-line learning students. If a student completes 23.1 an on-line learning course or program that meets or exceeds a 23.2 graduation standard or grade progression requirement at the 23.3 enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met. The 23.4 enrolling district must use the same criteria for accepting 23.5 on-line learning credits or courses as it does for accepting 23.6 credits or courses for transfer students under section 124D.03, 23.7 subdivision 9. The enrolling district may reduce the teacher 23.8 contact time of an on-line learning student in proportion to the 23.9 number of on-line learning courses the student takes from an 23.10 on-line learning provider that is not the enrolling district. 23.11 (b) An on-line learning student may: 23.12 (1) enroll during a single school year in a maximum of 12 23.13 semester-long courses or their equivalent delivered by an 23.14 on-line learning provider or the enrolling district; 23.15 (2) complete course work at a grade level that is different 23.16 from the student's current grade level; and 23.17 (3) enroll in additional courses with the on-line learning 23.18 provider under a separate agreement that includes terms for 23.19 payment of any tuition or course fees. 23.20 (c) A student with a disability may enroll in an on-line 23.21 learning course or programif the student's IEP team determines23.22that on-line learning is appropriate education for the student. 23.23 The student's IEP must then be adapted to reflect the on-line 23.24 learning option. 23.25 (d) An on-line learning student has the same access to the 23.26 computer hardware and education software available in a school 23.27 as all other students in the enrolling district. An on-line 23.28 learning provider must assist an on-line learning student whose 23.29 family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 23.30 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software 23.31 for on-line learning purposes. 23.32 (e) An enrolling district may offer on-line learning to its 23.33 enrolled students. Such on-line learning does not generate 23.34 on-line learning funds under this section. An enrolling 23.35 district that offers on-line learning only to its enrolled 23.36 students is not subject to the reporting requirements or review 24.1 criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a Minnesota 24.2 license must assemble and deliver instruction to enrolled 24.3 students receiving on-line learning from an enrolling district. 24.4 The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons 24.5 other than a teacher with a Minnesota license. 24.6 (f) An on-line learning provider that is not the enrolling 24.7 district is subject to the reporting requirements and review 24.8 criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a Minnesota 24.9 license must assemble and deliver instruction to on-line 24.10 learning students. The instruction may include curriculum 24.11 developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota 24.12 license. Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher 24.13 providing on-line learning instruction must not instruct more 24.14 than 40 students in any one on-line learning course or program. 24.15 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 125A.023, 24.16 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 24.17 Subd. 3. [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section and 24.18 section 125A.027, the following terms have the meanings given 24.19 them: 24.20 (a) "Health plan" means: 24.21 (1) a health plan under section 62Q.01, subdivision 3; 24.22 (2) a county-based purchasing plan under section 256B.692; 24.23 (3) a self-insured health plan established by a local 24.24 government under section 471.617; or 24.25 (4) self-insured health coverage provided by the state to 24.26 its employees or retirees. 24.27 (b) For purposes of this section, "health plan company" 24.28 means an entity that issues a health plan as defined in 24.29 paragraph (a). 24.30 (c) "Individual interagency intervention plan" means a 24.31 standardized written plan describing those programs or services 24.32 and the accompanying funding sources available to eligible 24.33 children with disabilities. 24.34 (d) "Interagency intervention service system" means a 24.35 system that coordinates services and programs required in state 24.36 and federal law to meet the needs of eligible children with 25.1 disabilities agesthree tobirth through 21, including: 25.2 (1) services provided under the following programs or 25.3 initiatives administered by state or local agencies: 25.4 (i) the maternal and child health program under title V of 25.5 the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections25.6701 to 709; 25.7 (ii) the Minnesota Children with Special Health Needs 25.8 program under sections 144.05 and 144.07; 25.9 (iii) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Actunder25.10United States Code, title 20, chapter 33, subchapter II,25.11sections 1411 to 1420, Part B, section 619, and Part C as 25.12 amended; 25.13(iii)(iv) medical assistance under title 42, chapter 7, of 25.14 the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, chapter25.157, subchapter XIX, section 1396, et seq.; 25.16(iv)(v)thedevelopmental disabilitiesAssistance and Bill25.17of Rights Act, United States Code, title 42, chapter 75,25.18subchapter II, sections 6021 to 6030, Part Bservices under 25.19 chapter 256B; 25.20(v)(vi) the Head Start Act, United States Code, title 42,25.21chapter 105, subchapter II, sections 9831 to 9852under title 25.22 42, chapter 105, of the Social Security Act; 25.23(vi)(vii) vocational rehabilitation services provided 25.24 underchapterchapters 248 and 268A and the Rehabilitation Act 25.25 of 1973; 25.26(vii)(viii) Juvenile Court Act services provided under 25.27 sections 260.011 to 260.91; 260B.001 to 260B.446; and 260C.001 25.28 to 260C.451; 25.29(viii) the children's mental health collaboratives under25.30section 245.493;25.31(ix) the family service collaboratives under section25.32124D.23;25.33(x) the family community support plan under section25.34245.4881, subdivision 4;25.35(xi) the MinnesotaCare program under chapter 256L;25.36(xii)(ix) Minnesota Comprehensive Children's Mental Health 26.1 Act under section 245.487; 26.2 (x) the community health services grants underchapter26.3145sections 145.88 to 145.9266; 26.4(xiii) the Community Social Services Act funding under the26.5Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 139726.6to 1397f; and26.7(xiv) the community transition interagency committees under26.8section 125A.22;26.9 (xi) the Local Public Health Act under chapter 145A; and 26.10 (xii) the Children and Community Services Act, sections 26.11 256M.60 to 256M.80; 26.12 (2) service provision and funding that can be coordinated 26.13 through: 26.14 (i) the children's mental health collaborative under 26.15 section 245.493; 26.16 (ii) the family services collaborative under section 26.17 124D.23; 26.18 (iii) the community transition interagency committees under 26.19 section 125A.22; and 26.20 (iv) the interagency early intervention committees under 26.21 section 125A.259; 26.22 (3) financial and other funding programs to be coordinated 26.23 including medical assistance under title 42, chapter 7, of the 26.24 Social Security Act, the MinnesotaCare program under chapter 26.25 256L, Supplemental Social Security Income, Developmental 26.26 Disabilities Assistance, and any other employment-related 26.27 activities associated with the Social Security Administration; 26.28 and services provided under a health plan in conformity with an 26.29 individual family service plan or an individual education 26.30 plan or an individual interagency intervention plan; and 26.31(3)(4) additional appropriate services that local agencies 26.32 and counties provide on an individual need basis upon 26.33 determining eligibility and receiving a request from the 26.34 interagency early intervention committee and the child's parent. 26.35 (e) "Children with disabilities" has the meaning given in 26.36 section 125A.02. 27.1 (f) A "standardized written plan" means those individual 27.2 services or programs available through the interagency 27.3 intervention service system to an eligible child other than the 27.4 services or programs described in the child's individual 27.5 education plan or the child's individual family service plan. 27.6 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 27.7 125A.023, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 27.8 Subd. 4. [STATE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.] (a) The governor 27.9 shall convenea 19-memberan interagency committee to develop 27.10 and implement a coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency 27.11 intervention service system for children agesthree tobirth 27.12 through 21 with disabilities. The commissioners ofcommerce,27.13 education, health,human rights,human services,economic27.14security,andcorrectionsemployment and economic development 27.15 shall each appoint two committee members from their departments; 27.16 the commissioners of corrections, human rights, and commerce 27.17 shall each appoint one member from their departments; the 27.18 Association of Minnesota Counties shall appoint two county 27.19 representatives, one of whom must be an elected official, as 27.20 committee members; and the Minnesota School Boards Association, 27.21 the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education, and the 27.22 School Nurse Association of Minnesota shall each appoint one 27.23 committee member; the governor shall appoint two parent 27.24 representatives of a child or youth who is eligible for special 27.25 education. The committee shall select a chair from among its 27.26 members. 27.27 (b) The committee shall: 27.28 (1) identify and assist in removing state and federal 27.29 barriers to local coordination of services provided to children 27.30 with disabilities; 27.31 (2) identify adequate, equitable, and flexible funding 27.32 sources to streamline these services; 27.33 (3) develop guidelines for implementing policies that 27.34 ensure a comprehensive and coordinated system of all state and 27.35 local agency services, including multidisciplinary assessment 27.36 practices for children with disabilities ages three to 21; 28.1 (4) develop, consistent with federal law, a standardized 28.2 written plan for providing services to a child with 28.3 disabilities; 28.4 (5) identify how current systems for dispute resolution can 28.5 be coordinated and develop guidelines for that coordination; 28.6 (6) develop an evaluation process to measure the success of 28.7 state and local interagency efforts in improving the quality and 28.8 coordination of services to children with disabilities ages 28.9 three to 21; 28.10 (7) develop guidelines to assist the governing boards of 28.11 the interagency early intervention committees in carrying out 28.12 the duties assigned in section 125A.027, subdivision 1, 28.13 paragraph (b); and 28.14 (8) carry out other duties necessary to develop and 28.15 implement within communities a coordinated, multidisciplinary, 28.16 interagency intervention service system for children with 28.17 disabilities. 28.18 (c) The committee shall consult on an ongoing basis with 28.19 the state Education Advisory Committee for Special Education and 28.20 the governor's Interagency Coordinating Council in carrying out 28.21 its duties under this section, including assisting the governing 28.22 boards of the interagency early intervention committees. 28.23 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 125A.03, is 28.24 amended to read: 28.25 125A.03 [SPECIAL INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN WITH A 28.26 DISABILITY.] 28.27 (a) As defined in paragraph (b), every district must 28.28 provide special instruction and services, either within the 28.29 district or in another district, for all children with a 28.30 disability, including those suspended or expelled from school 28.31 for more than ten consecutive days, consistent with sections 28.32 121A.40 to 121A.56 who are residents of the district and who are 28.33 disabled as set forth in section 125A.02. For purposes of state 28.34 and federal special education laws, the phrase "special 28.35 instruction and services" in the state education code means a 28.36 free and appropriate public education provided to an eligible 29.1 child with disabilities and includes special education and 29.2 related services defined in the Individuals with Disabilities 29.3 Education Act, subpart A, section 300.24. 29.4 (b) Notwithstanding any age limits in laws to the contrary, 29.5 special instruction and services must be provided from birth 29.6 until July 1 after the child with a disability becomes 21 years 29.7 old but shall not extend beyond secondary school or its 29.8 equivalent, except as provided in section 124D.68, subdivision 29.9 2. Local health, education, and social service agencies must 29.10 refer children under age five who are known to need or suspected 29.11 of needing special instruction and services to the school 29.12 district. Districts with less than the minimum number of 29.13 eligible children with a disability as determined by the 29.14 commissioner must cooperate with other districts to maintain a 29.15 full range of programs for education and services for children 29.16 with a disability. This section does not alter the compulsory 29.17 attendance requirements of section 120A.22. 29.18 Sec. 5. Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 9, 29.19 article 3, section 19, is amended to read: 29.20 Sec. 19. [DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY.] 29.21 ByJanuary 1June 1, 2004, the commissioner of education 29.22 must adopt rules that: 29.23 (1) establish criteria for selecting hearing officers, the 29.24 standards of conduct to which a hearing officer must adhere, and 29.25 a process to evaluate the hearing system; 29.26 (2) ensure that appropriately trained and knowledgeable 29.27 persons conduct due process hearings in compliance with federal 29.28 law; and 29.29 (3) create standards for expedited due process hearings 29.30 under federal law. 29.31 By March 1, 2004, the commissioner of education must 29.32 develop and make available a notice for participants in 29.33 state-provided dispute resolution processes that informs 29.34 participants of their rights concerning dispute resolution. 29.35 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective retroactive to 29.36 July 1, 2003. 30.1 ARTICLE 4 30.2 LIBRARIES 30.3 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 134.31, is 30.4 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.5 Subd. 6. [ADVISORY COMMITTEE.] The commissioner shall 30.6 appoint an advisory committee of five members to advise the 30.7 staff of the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically 30.8 Handicapped on long-range planning and library services. 30.9 Members shall be people who use the library. Section 15.059 30.10 governs this committee except that the committee expires June 30.11 30, 2007. 30.12 [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective June 30, 2004. 30.13 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 134.45, 30.14 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 30.15 Subd. 5. [QUALIFICATION.] A public library jurisdiction 30.16 may apply for a grant in an amount up to$150,000$200,000 or 50 30.17 percent of the approved costs of removing architectural barriers 30.18 from a building or site, whichever is less. Grants may be made 30.19 only for projects in existing buildings used as a library, or to 30.20 prepare another existing building for use as a library. 30.21 Renovation of an existing building may include an addition to 30.22 the building if the additional space is necessary to provide 30.23 accessibility or if relocating public spaces to the ground level 30.24 provides improved overall accessibility. Grants must not be 30.25 used to pay part of the cost of meeting accessibility 30.26 requirements in a new building. 30.27 ARTICLE 5 30.28 STATE AGENCIES 30.29 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 122A.20, 30.30 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 30.31 Subd. 2. [MANDATORY REPORTING.] A school board must report 30.32 to the Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators, or 30.33 the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and 30.34 Universities, whichever has jurisdiction over the teacher's or 30.35 administrator's license, when its teacher or administrator is 30.36 discharged or resigns from employment after a charge is filed 31.1 with the school board under section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, 31.2 clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7, or after charges are filed 31.3 that are ground for discharge under section 122A.40, subdivision 31.4 13, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), or when a teacher or 31.5 administrator is suspended or resigns while an investigation is 31.6 pending under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a) 31.7 clauses (1) to (5); 122A.41, subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), 31.8 and (3), and 7; or 626.556, or when a teacher or administrator 31.9 is suspended without an investigation under section 122A.41, 31.10 subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; 31.11 or 626.556. The report must be made to the appropriate 31.12 licensing board within ten days after the discharge, suspension, 31.13 or resignation has occurred. The licensing board to which the 31.14 report is made must investigate the report for violation of 31.15 subdivision 1 and the reporting board must cooperate in the 31.16 investigation. Notwithstanding any provision in chapter 13 or 31.17 any law to the contrary, upon written request from the licensing 31.18 board having jurisdiction over the license, a board or school 31.19 superintendent shall provide the licensing board with 31.20 information about the teacher or administrator from the 31.21 district's files, any termination or disciplinary proceeding, 31.22 any settlement or compromise, or any investigative file. Upon 31.23 written request from the appropriate licensing board, a board or 31.24 school superintendent may, at the discretion of the board or 31.25 school superintendent, solicit the written consent of a student 31.26 and the student's parent to provide the licensing board with 31.27 information that may aid the licensing board in its 31.28 investigation and license proceedings. The licensing board's 31.29 request need not identify a student or parent by name. The 31.30 consent of the student and the student's parent must meet the 31.31 requirements of chapter 13 and Code of Federal Regulations, 31.32 title 34, section 99.30. The licensing board may provide a 31.33 consent form to the district. Any data transmitted to any board 31.34 under this section is private data under section 13.02, 31.35 subdivision 12, notwithstanding any other classification of the 31.36 data when it was in the possession of any other agency. 32.1 The licensing board to which a report is made must transmit 32.2 to the Attorney General's Office any record or data it receives 32.3 under this subdivision for the sole purpose of having the 32.4 Attorney General's Office assist that board in its 32.5 investigation. When the Attorney General's Office has informed 32.6 an employee of the appropriate licensing board in writing that 32.7 grounds exist to suspend or revoke a teacher's license to teach, 32.8 that licensing board must consider suspending or revoking or 32.9 decline to suspend or revoke the teacher's or administrator's 32.10 license within 45 days of receiving a stipulation executed by 32.11 the teacher or administrator under investigation or a 32.12 recommendation from an administrative law judge that 32.13 disciplinary action be taken.