HF4805

Purpose

This bill aims to expand access to postsecondary education by removing certain nondiscrimination and faith-based admission restrictions on eligible institutions and on enrollment options. It also creates a one-time funding provision related to a court case.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility definitions
  • Eligible institutions now include:
  • Minnesota public postsecondary institutions
  • Private nonprofit two-year trade and technical schools that grant associate degrees
  • Opportunities Industrialization Center
  • Institutions accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
  • Private residential two-year or four-year liberal arts colleges or universities located in Minnesota
  • An eligible institution must not require a faith statement from a secondary student seeking to enroll in a postsecondary course during the application process, and must not base admission decisions on a student’s race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs or affiliations.
• Courses and concurrent enrollment
  • Course means a course or program.
  • Concurrent enrollment means nonsectarian courses in which an eligible pupil enrolls to earn both secondary and postsecondary credits. These courses are taught by a secondary teacher or a postsecondary faculty member and are offered at a high school. The school district may receive concurrent enrollment program aid under section 124D.091.
• Funding for a court case
  • In fiscal year 2026, a one-time general-fund appropriation is made for the payment of fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff in Loe v. Jett (Case No. 23CV1527). The commissioner of education must pay these fees and expenses on behalf of all defendants if ordered by the court, with the funds available until June 30, 2026.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Removes the requirement for faith statements and the basis of admission decisions on race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs/affiliations, expanding access to postsecondary courses for more students.
• Broadens the definition of what counts as an eligible institution to include additional public and private institutions and centers.
• Expands concurrent enrollment to nonsectarian (non-religious) courses offered at high schools, with state aid tied to program participation.
• Adds a one-time funding provision to cover legal fees from a specific court case (Loe v. Jett).

Fiscal and Practical Impact

• One-time appropriation from the general fund for Loe v. Jett fees and expenses, available through June 30, 2026.
• Potentially increased enrollment and broader access to concurrent enrollment across more institutions and programs.

Effective Date

• Not specified in the provided text.

Relevant Terms eligible institution, course, concurrent enrollment, nonsectarian, faith statement, nondiscrimination, race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or affiliations, Minnesota Statutes 124D.09, subdivision 3, Opportunities Industrialization Center, accredited, private nonprofit, liberal arts college, liberal arts university, private residential, four-year, two-year, postsecondary credits, secondary credits, school district, section 124D.091, Loe v. Jett, general fund, appropriation, fees and expenses, plaintiff.