HF5019

Purpose

This bill creates a new state program to improve school safety by providing grants to eligible schools. The funds are meant to help schools invest in safety facilities and related improvements for students and staff, administered by the Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Department of Education.

Main provisions

• Eligible recipients (qualifying schools)

  • Schools operated by a school district, charter school, cooperative unit (as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 123A.24, subdivision 2), tribal contract school, or nonpublic school.

• Use of grants

  • Grants must be used for items authorized under Minnesota Statutes section 126C.44. These are safety-related improvements and equipment allowed by law.

• Application process

  • Qualifying schools may apply using the form and process set by the School Safety Center in consultation with the commissioner of education.
  • Applications must include information about any other funding sources that will be used to fully fund the school safety project.

• Grant awards

  • After consultation with the commissioner of education, the School Safety Center may award up to $500,000 to each qualifying school.
  • The School Safety Center must work with the commissioner of education to prioritize grant applications.

• Geographic prioritization

  • At least half of the grants must go to schools whose administrative offices are located outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

• Funding and duration

  • The appropriation comes from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 and is available until June 30, 2029.

How this changes the law

• Creates a new, dedicated school safety grant program administered by the Department of Public Safety’s School Safety Center, in coordination with the Department of Education.
• Establishes a maximum grant amount per school and a prioritization framework, including a geographic requirement (favoring non-metropolitan schools).
• Ties eligible use of funds to items authorized under a specified statute (126C.44) and requires disclosure of other funding sources in applications.
• Sets a finite funding period (FY2027, with availability through mid-2029) and specifies an appropriation source (general fund).

Implementation and oversight

• Oversight and administration are shared between the Department of Public Safety (School Safety Center) and the Department of Education (through consultation).
• Grant distribution depends on prioritization decisions in cooperation with the education department.

Potential impacts

• Schools outside the large metro area may receive more grant opportunities due to the required minimum of half the grants going to non-metropolitan districts.
• Eligible schools can upgrade safety facilities and related equipment to improve safety for students and staff.

Summary of key mechanics

• Program: school safety facility grants
• Administrator: Department of Public Safety, School Safety Center
• Eligible recipients: districts, charter schools, cooperative units, tribal contract schools, nonpublic schools
• Grant cap: up to $500,000 per qualifying school
• Use of funds: items authorized by MN Stat. 126C.44
• Application requirements: must show other funding sources if applicable
• Prioritization: in consultation with the education commissioner
• Geographic priority: at least 50% to non-metropolitan schools (outside seven-county area)
• Funding window: FY2027 appropriation from general fund, available through 6/30/2029

Relevant Terms - school safety grants - Department of Public Safety - School Safety Center - qualifying schools - school district - charter school - cooperative unit - tribal contract school - nonpublic school - Minnesota Statutes section 126C.44 - Minnesota Statutes section 123A.24 - seven-county metropolitan area - general fund - appropriation - fiscal year 2027 - 6/30/2029 - grant up to $500,000 - application and prioritization process