1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; requiring implementation of a pilot program 
1.3 	for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at certain state 
1.4 	universities;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.101, subdivision 
1.5 	10.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 136A.101, subdivision 10, is amended to 
1.8 	read:
1.9 		Subd. 10.Satisfactory academic progress. "Satisfactory academic progress" 
1.10 	means satisfactory academic progress as defined under Code of Federal Regulations, title 
1.11 	34, sections 668.16(e), 668.32(f), and 668.34, except that a student with an intellectual 
1.12 	disability as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.231, enrolled 
1.13 	in an approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program under that section 
1.14 	is subject to the institution's published satisfactory academic process standards for that 
1.15 	program as approved by the Office of Higher Education.

1.16 	Sec. 2. STATE UNIVERSITIES; PILOT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH 
1.17 	INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
 1.18 		Subdivision 1.Pilot program required. (a) No later than the 2017-2018 academic 
1.19 	year, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must offer 
1.20 	a pilot academic program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 
1.21 	consistent with the requirements of this section. The board must offer the pilot program at 
1.22 	four state university campuses chosen based on (1) their ability to offer a robust program 
1.23 	using existing facilities and resources and (2) with a goal to provide the program in diverse 
1.24 	geographic regions of the state.
2.1 	(b) In designing the pilot program, the Board of Trustees must consult with 
2.2 	the Minnesota State Council on Disability, the Minnesota Governor's Council on 
2.3 	Developmental Disabilities, Arc Minnesota, and other interested stakeholder groups. The 
2.4 	board may also consult with administrators of similar programs at other postsecondary 
2.5 	institutions.
2.6 		Subd. 2.Program enrollment and admission. The enrollment goal for each 
2.7 	campus' pilot program must be at least ten incoming students per academic year. Students 
2.8 	must be admitted based on an application process that includes an in-person interview; 
2.9 	an independent assessment of an applicant's interest, motivation, and likelihood of 
2.10 	success in the program; and any other eligibility requirements established by the board. 
2.11 	Upon successful completion, a student must be awarded a certificate, diploma, or other 
2.12 	appropriate academic credential.
2.13 		Subd. 3.Program curriculum and activities. (a) The pilot program must provide 
2.14 	an inclusive, two-year full-time residential college experience for students with intellectual 
2.15 	and developmental disabilities. The required curriculum must include core courses 
2.16 	that develop life skills, financial literacy, and the ability to live independently; rigorous 
2.17 	academic work in a student's chosen field of study; and an internship, apprenticeship, or 
2.18 	other skills-based experience to prepare for meaningful employment upon completion 
2.19 	of the program.
2.20 	(b) In addition to academic requirements, the program must offer participating 
2.21 	students the opportunity to engage fully in campus life. Program activities must include 
2.22 	but are not limited to (1) the establishment of on-campus mentoring and peer support 
2.23 	communities and (2) opportunities for personal growth through leadership development 
2.24 	and other community engagement activities.
2.25 	(c) A participating campus may tailor its program curriculum and activities to 
2.26 	highlight academic programs, student and community life experiences, and employment 
2.27 	opportunities unique to that campus or the region of the state where the campus is located.
2.28 		Subd. 4.Progress reports to legislature. (a) The board must submit progress 
2.29 	reports on the pilot program required by this section to the chairs and ranking minority 
2.30 	members of the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education 
2.31 	finance and policy and human services finance and policy as follows:
2.32 	(1) no later than January 15, 2017, a report describing plans for implementation of 
2.33 	the program and recruitment of applicants, including identification of anticipated program 
2.34 	needs that cannot be filled using existing campus or system resources; and
3.1 	(2) no later than January 15, 2019, a report describing program operations, including 
3.2 	information on participation and expected completion rates, the feasibility of program 
3.3 	expansion to other state university campuses, and detail on any unmet program needs.