Purpose

Sets up a process to check and improve health insurance eligibility for adjunct faculty at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and to propose ways to expand access to employer-sponsored health coverage.

Key action required

The Board of Trustees must convene a workgroup by August 15, 2026 to review current health insurance eligibility for adjunct faculty and develop recommendations to expand eligibility.

Membership (who is on the workgroup)

The workgroup must include at minimum: - Representatives from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system office - Representatives designated by the Inter Faculty Organization - Representatives designated by the Minnesota State College Faculty

What the workgroup will do (duties)

• Identify barriers that keep adjunct faculty from qualifying for employer-sponsored health coverage
• Develop specific policy recommendations and budget-related ideas to expand health insurance access for adjunct faculty

Reporting requirement

By December 15, 2027, the Board of Trustees must submit a report with the workgroup’s findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees that oversee higher education finance and policy.

Timeframe / expiration

The workgroup expires on February 14, 2028.

Significant changes to existing law

• Establishes a formal workgroup to study adjunct faculty health insurance eligibility and to propose changes aimed at expanding access.
• Requires a formal report to lawmakers detailing findings, policy changes, and budget considerations.
• Does not immediately change eligibility; it directs study and recommendations that could lead to future changes.

Summary in plain terms

This bill creates a temporary group to explore whether adjunct faculty at Minnesota State colleges and universities should have broader access to employer-sponsored health insurance. It specifies who should sit on the group, what they must study (the barriers to eligibility and how to expand access), and a deadline for a final report to lawmakers. The workgroup has a set end date in 2028.

Relevant Terms

adjunct faculty health insurance eligibility employer-sponsored health coverage workgroup Board of Trustees Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Inter Faculty Organization Minnesota State College Faculty policy recommendations budgetary recommendations report December 15, 2027 August 15, 2026 February 14, 2028