1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing an after-school community learning grant 
1.3 	program; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. AFTER-SCHOOL COMMUNITY LEARNING GRANTS.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Grant program established. A competitive grant program is 
1.7 	established to support community-based organizations, schools, political subdivisions, or 
1.8 	child care centers that service young people in kindergarten through grade 12 after school 
1.9 	or during nonschool hours. Grants must be used to offer a broad array of enrichment 
1.10 	activities that promote positive youth development, including art, music, community 
1.11 	engagement, literacy, technology education, health, and recreation programs.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Application. The commissioner of education shall develop the form 
1.13 	and method for applying for the grants. The application must include information on 
1.14 	the applicant's outreach to children and youth that qualify for free or reduced-price 
1.15 	lunch and two-year measurable goals and activities linked to research or best practices. 
1.16 	The commissioner shall develop criteria for determining the allocation of the grants and 
1.17 	appropriate goals for the use of the grants including:
1.18 	(1) increasing access to protective factors that build young people's capacity to 
1.19 	become productive adults, such as connections to a caring adult;
1.20 	(2) developing children's skills and behaviors necessary to succeed in postsecondary 
1.21 	education and career opportunities; and
1.22 	(3) encouraging attendance and improving performance in school.
1.23 		Subd. 3.Grant awards. To the extent practicable, the selection of applicants 
1.24 	shall result in an equitable distribution of grant awards among geographic areas within 
2.1 	Minnesota, including rural, suburban, and urban communities. The commissioner shall 
2.2 	also give priority to programs that collaborate with and leverage existing community 
2.3 	resources that have demonstrated effectiveness. Applicants selected as grantees are 
2.4 	eligible to receive a two-year renewable grant, contingent upon satisfactory progress 
2.5 	toward goals and objectives and the availability of funds.

2.6 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.7 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
2.8 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years 
2.9 	designated.
2.10 		Subd. 2.After-school community learning grants. For after-school community 
2.11 	learning grants under section 1:

2.12		$
	.......
	.....
	2016
	
2.13		$
	.......
	.....
	2017
	
2.14 	Up to seven percent of the appropriation in each fiscal year may be used for 
2.15 	administration, evaluation, and technical assistance, including partnering with the 
2.16 	Minnesota Afterschool Network, Ignite Afterschool, and other appropriate entities to 
2.17 	ensure implementation of strategies statewide to ensure the provision of high quality, 
2.18 	research-driven learning opportunities.
2.19 	Any balance in the first year does not cancel, but is available in the second year.