HF3494

Purpose

This bill creates a new funding framework called Safe Schools funding to support school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units. It also repeals a prior program called Student Support Personnel Aid and redirects money through the new Safe Schools structure. The overall goal is to provide dedicated resources for safe and well-supported school environments.

Main Provisions

• Establish Safe Schools revenue for districts, charter schools, and cooperative units, defined as the sum of Safe Schools Aid and Safe Schools Levy.
• Create Safe Schools Aid and Safe Schools Levy as the two components that together determine Safe Schools revenue.
• Repeal the existing Student Support Personnel Aid program.
• Make appropriations to fund Safe Schools Aid (and related Safe Schools activities).
• Amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 126C.44 subdivision 1 by adding new subdivisions related to Safe Schools.
• Repeal Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 124D.901.1.8.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces or supplements current funding mechanisms with a Safe Schools funding structure (Safe Schools Aid and Safe Schools Levy) for school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units.
• Eliminates the Student Support Personnel Aid program, shifting that funding focus to the Safe Schools framework.
• Updates statutory language to define how Safe Schools revenue is calculated (as the combination of aid and levy) and to implement new funding provisions through amendments to statute.
• Removes or supersedes a specific provision in the 2025 Supplement (section 124D.901.1.8).

Implementation Considerations

• Local districts, charter schools, and cooperatives will calculate total Safe Schools revenue by adding Safe Schools Aid and Safe Schools Levy.
• Funding decisions and levy authority will be tied to the Safe Schools framework, potentially affecting budgeting, safety-related programs, and personnel funding.
• The repeal of the Student Support Personnel Aid could shift resources previously dedicated to student support staff toward the Safe Schools program.

Relevant Terms Safe Schools revenue, Safe Schools Aid, Safe Schools Levy, Safe Schools, school districts, charter schools, cooperative units, Student Support Personnel Aid, Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 126C.44, Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 124D.901.1.8, appropriation, repeal, amendment.