Purpose

This bill aims to improve school safety by creating and mandating an anonymous reporting system for all Minnesota public elementary, middle, and secondary schools (with some optional use by nonpublic schools). It sets up the requirements for how reports are made, how they are handled, and how schools and state agencies work together to respond to potential threats or safety concerns.

Main Provisions

• Anonymous reporting system requirements

  • By July 1, 2028, every public school must have an anonymous reporting system that people can use 24/7, including a mobile app and a multilingual crisis center.
  • The system must forward reports quickly to the school-based team and support a coordinated response with schools, 911 dispatchers, and sworn law enforcement when safety is reasonably at risk.
  • The system must be accessible in a way that protects people’s privacy and complies with data privacy laws (data practices under chapter 13 and FERPA).
  • A school can use its own system or a statewide system organized by the Department of Education (DOE). If a school uses its own system, it can contract to build and run it to meet these requirements.
  • The system must include a website to educate students about how to use it and a toll-free hotline for anonymous tips about dangerous or harmful activity on or near school property.

• School-based team and training

  • By September 1, 2027, every applicable school must form a school-based team of at least three school employees and tell the state education commissioner who the primary contact is for the team.
  • The school-based team is responsible for receiving reports, coordinating responses, and working with other authorities as needed.
  • The system must include training for the school-based team and for students about recognizing warning signs of risk, the importance of taking threats seriously, and how to report concerns using the anonymous system.
  • The bill also requires public education and awareness about the reporting system before it starts.

• Department of Education and statewide options

  • The DOE, with the Department of Public Safety, must offer a list of third-party providers that offer anonymous reporting systems that meet the bill’s requirements.
  • The DOE may run or contract for a statewide anonymous reporting system that meets these requirements.

• Data use, privacy, and compliance

  • The system must comply with privacy laws (data practices under chapter 13 and FERPA). This applies to how reports are stored, shared, and used.

• Reporting and accountability

  • By December 15, 2028 and every year after, the DOE must report to relevant legislative committees on:
  • The total number of anonymous reports, by school site.
  • The type and method of reports.
  • The number of false reports.
  • How schools responded to reports, including disciplinary actions, nondisciplinary actions, and interventions.
  • The gender and race of students who are subject to disciplinary actions, nondisciplinary actions, or interventions resulting from a report.

• Funding

  • Schools and the DOE may accept funding from public or private sources, including state or federal funds, to support the anonymous reporting system and related safety improvements.

• Notable exceptions

  • Nonpublic schools may implement an anonymous reporting system but are not required to follow all subdivision requirements.

Significant Changes to Law (What Changes)

• Establishes a mandatory, 24/7 anonymous reporting system for all listed Minnesota schools and ties it to a formal, coordinated response involving school teams, 911, and law enforcement.
• Creates a new, standardized framework and training for school-based teams and students on recognizing risks and reporting concerns.
• Requires a detailed annual reporting and data breakdown to state lawmakers, including demographics related to disciplinary actions.
• Enables a statewide option managed by the DOE and clarifies data privacy protections under existing laws.
• Allows external funding and third-party providers to support implementation and operation of the system.

Implementation Timeline (Key Dates)

• By Sept 1, 2027: Public schools must form a school-based team with at least three employees and designate a primary contact for the team.
• By July 1, 2028: All eligible schools must implement the anonymous reporting system (either their own or statewide).
• By December 15, 2028 and annually thereafter: DOE reports to legislative committees on usage, outcomes, and demographics related to the reporting system.

Impact Summary

• Improves early identification and response to safety concerns and potential self-harm risks.
• Creates a centralized path for reporting threats or harmful activity, with input from education, mental health, and law enforcement resources.
• Increases transparency through annual reporting and data collection while protecting student privacy.
• Encourages schools to invest in evidence-based practices for violence prevention and crisis response.

Relevant Terms anonymous reporting system; school-based team; evidence-based; crisis center; multilingual crisis center; mobile application; toll-free hotline; 24 hours a day; 911; law enforcement; data practices; FERPA; Department of Education; Department of Public Safety; third parties; statewide system; evidence-based counseling; crisis intervention training; self-harm warning signs; threats; public safety; welfare; disciplinary actions; nondisciplinary actions; interventions; reporting methods; false reports; school site data; funding sources; teaching and awareness.