1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; modifying teacher shortage loan forgiveness eligibility 
1.3 	to include nonpublic schools;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 
1.4 	136A.1791, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given 
1.9 	them in this subdivision.
1.10 	(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan 
1.11 	for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a 
1.12 	teacher's preparation or further education, only if the further education will result in the 
1.13 	teacher decreasing the gap in a new shortage area.
1.14 	(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, 
1.15 	intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, 
1.16 	a cooperative center for vocational education, ~~or~~ a charter school, or a nonpublic school, 
1.17 	excluding a home school, located in Minnesota.
1.18 	(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the Professional 
1.19 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board who is employed by a school district to provide 
1.20 	classroom instruction.
1.21 	(e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless 
1.22 	indicated otherwise.
2.1 	(f) "License shortage area" has the meaning given in section 136A.1275, subdivision 1, 
2.2 	paragraph (b).
2.3 	(g) "Racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the teacher workforce" means a racial 
2.4 	or ethnic group for which the aggregate percentage of Minnesota teachers of that racial or 
2.5 	ethnic group is lower than the aggregate percentage of Minnesota kindergarten through 
2.6 	grade 12 students of that racial or ethnic group.
2.7 	(h) "Rural school district" means a school district with fewer than 30 resident pupil units 
2.8 	under section 126C.05, subdivision 6, per square mile.