HF5095

Purpose

This bill creates a statewide program under the Department of Education to provide age-appropriate books at no cost to Minnesota children from birth through age five. The program is designed to build foundational literacy and support the Read Act goals. It would operate through a partnership with the Dollywood Foundation.

Key Definitions

• Eligible child: a Minnesota resident from birth to five years old.
• Local affiliate: a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, school district, or public library that partners with the Dollywood Foundation to run the program in a specific geographic area.
• Statewide entity: a Minnesota-based nonprofit selected by the commissioner to coordinate the program across the state.

Roles and Coordination

• The Department of Education would select a statewide entity through a competitive process to coordinate the program.
• The statewide entity would manage daily operations, act as the primary liaison to the Dollywood Foundation, and help local affiliates raise the 50% local match.
• The program would align with the department’s early literacy initiatives to encourage families to read with children before they start kindergarten.

Statewide Entity Duties

• Manage day-to-day operations and coordinate with the Dollywood Foundation.
• Help local affiliates raise funds to meet the 50% local match for book and mailing costs.
• Develop and implement a statewide marketing plan aiming to enroll at least 50% of eligible children by the end of fiscal year 2029.
• Coordinate with school districts to include Imagination Library enrollment information in early childhood screening appointments.

Local Partner Requirements

• Local affiliates must enter into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation.
• They must provide 50% of the funding needed for the cost of books and mailing for children in their service area.
• They are responsible for enrolling children within their defined geographic boundaries.

Funding and Matching

• A state match of 50% of the cost of books and mailing for all enrolled children will be provided through the statewide coordination to support local affiliates.

Reporting and Accountability

• Each year by January 15, the commissioner must submit a report to the legislative committees overseeing education finance and policy.
• The report must include the number of children enrolled by county, the number of books distributed, and an analysis of the program’s impact on kindergarten readiness.

Significance and Expected Impact

• Establishes a new, state-supported program to improve early literacy by providing free books to young children.
• Promotes consistency in computing and distributing materials through a statewide framework, with local partnerships funding half the program costs.
• Integrates enrollment information into early childhood screening processes to boost participation.

Relevant to existing law and initiatives, the bill links to the Read Act goals and uses the Dollywood Foundation as the operational partner to deliver the Imagination Library program statewide.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Imagination Library program - Department of Education - Dollywood Foundation - Read Act (sections 120B.118 to 120B.124) - Eligible child - Local affiliate - Statewide entity - 50 percent state match - books and mailing - early literacy - kindergarten readiness - early childhood screening - competitive process - 501(c)(3) nonprofit - nonprofit partnership - enrollment information - geographic boundaries - reporting requirements