Purpose

This bill aims to allow certain online students to keep their public school enrollment even if they have a temporary break in residency, and to provide funding to support these changes. It updates how long a student can remain enrolled for free and under what conditions, especially for online learners and students who turn 21 while still in school.

Main Provisions

• Public schools remain the setting where enrollment is free for qualifying students under 21.
• For students under 21 to continue free enrollment while away from the district (online learners), the student must:
  • Have been continuously enrolled in the district or charter school for at least one year.
  • Have at least one parent who remains a Minnesota resident.
  • Be enrolled in online learning under section 124D.094.
  • Have the district and student mutually agree on a course of study if the student is a nonresident.
  • Not be physically absent from the district for more than 60 consecutive school days.
  • Intend to return to the district after the absence ends.
• For students who turn 21 after enrolling:
  • They remain eligible for free public school enrollment until the first September 1 after turning 21, or until graduation requirements are met, or if they withdraw without re-enrollment within 21 days, or at the end of the school year, or (for students with certain disabilities) until their 22nd birthday.
• The bill references the online learning arrangement under Minnesota’s online learning framework (section 124D.094) as part of eligibility.
• The bill includes a funding appropriation to support these provisions (though the specific appropriation details are not in the excerpt).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a formal pathway for continued free enrollment for online students who temporarily reside outside their district or state, provided they meet the listed conditions.
• Adds conditions related to residency continuity, online learning enrollment, and a defined absence limit (60 days).
• Allows nonresident online learners to have a mutual course-of-study agreement with their district.
• Extends freedom from tuition for students who turn 21 (and, in some cases, up to age 22 for students with disabilities) under specified criteria.
• Updates the age-related rules for admission and continued enrollment while maintaining a single set of rules for students under 21.

Implications for Students, Families, and Schools

• Students participating in online learning may stay enrolled in their public school and avoid losing free enrollment when they temporarily live outside their district.
• Families must maintain Minnesota residency in at least one parent and ensure online learning enrollment aligns with state programs.
• Districts will need to manage and monitor online enrollment status, course-of-study agreements for nonresidents, and the 60-day absence limit.

How It Works in Practice (Summary)

• A student under 21 who has been enrolled for at least a year and has a Minnesota-resident parent, who enrolls online under 124D.094, and who may be nonresident but has an agreed course of study and is not absent for more than 60 days, can keep free public school enrollment.
• A student who turns 21 can continue free public school enrollment under specified timebound conditions, with an added consideration of disability-related extensions.

Relevant Terms - public schools, free public school enrollment - admission, residency, resident, nonresident - online learning, online learning under section 124D.094 - continuous enrollment - course of study (mutual agreement for nonresidents) - 60 consecutive days of absence - school district, charter school - age 21, 22nd birthday (disabilities) - Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 120A.20 subdivision 1 and 126C.05 subdivision 1