Purpose

The bill aims to improve school safety by creating a universal, anonymous reporting system in Minnesota schools. It sets up a framework for 24/7 reporting, coordinated responses to potential threats, and training to identify warning signs of at-risk students. It also requires data privacy protections and regular reporting to the Legislature about system use and outcomes.

What the bill would require (Main Provisions)

• Anonymous reporting system

  • By July 1, 2028, every elementary, middle, and secondary school must implement an anonymous reporting system that supports reports 24 hours a day, at minimum through a mobile application and a multilingual crisis center.
  • Crisis centers must be staffed with personnel who have evidence-based counseling and crisis intervention training.
  • Reports submitted through the system must be promptly forwarded to the appropriate school-based team.
  • The system is designed to trigger a coordinated response involving schools, 911 telecommunicators, and sworn law enforcement when such action is needed to protect public safety.
  • The reporting system requires and certifies training for the school-based team that receives notices of reports about the school, school personnel, or enrolled students.
  • Public awareness and education about the system and how to use it must be promoted before launch.
  • An evidence-based student violence prevention training must be provided to students, teaching how to identify warning signs, the importance of taking threats seriously, how to seek help, and how to report using the anonymous reporting system.
  • The system must comply with data privacy laws (data practices under chapter 13 and FERPA). Schools can use their own system or a statewide system developed by the Department of Education (DOE).
  • If a school uses its own system, it can contract with a provider to develop and implement a compliant system.
  • In addition to system requirements, providers must establish a website educating students about the system and a toll-free hotline for anonymous tips about dangerous, violent, threatening, or potentially harmful activity on school property or involving students or staff.

• School-based teams

  • By September 1, 2027, each school subject to the subdivision must form a school-based team with at least three school employees and designate a primary contact person for the team to share with the DOE.
  • Nonpublic schools may implement an anonymous reporting system but are not required to meet all the subdivision requirements.

• Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Public Safety roles

  • DOE, in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety, must provide a list of third-party vendors that offer compliant anonymous reporting systems, including free or low-cost options.
  • By January 1, 2027, DOE must begin compiling and maintaining the school-based team information reported to the department.
  • DOE may operate or contract for a statewide anonymous reporting system that meets the subdivision 2 requirements.

• Reporting and accountability

  • Beginning December 15, 2028 and every year after, the DOE must report to legislative committees about:
  • The total number of reports received through the system for the previous school year.
  • Disaggregated data by school site, including type of reports, method of receipt, and number of false reports.
  • How schools responded to reports, including disciplinary actions, nondisciplinary actions, and interventions, disaggregated by those actions.
  • The gender and race of students subject to disciplinary action, nondisciplinary action, or intervention as a result of a report.

• Funding

  • DOE and affected schools may accept funds from public and private sources, including state or federal funding, to increase school safety and support the anonymous reporting system.

Implementation Timeline Highlights

• 2027: DOE and schools begin forming and documenting school-based teams (primary contacts by the specified deadline).
• 2028: The statewide reporting system (if chosen) and local systems must be in place; annual reports to the Legislature begin.
• Ongoing: Public awareness campaigns, ongoing training, data reporting, and funding activities.

Key Privacy and Legal Considerations

• The system must comply with data privacy rules in Chapter 13 and with FERPA protections.
• Schools may operate their own system or participate in a statewide DOE-supported system.
• Data collected through the system is to be used for safety and prevention purposes, with appropriate safeguards and transparency.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishment of a mandatory anonymous reporting system across all K-12 schools (with a pathway to a statewide system).
• Creation of mandatory school-based teams in each school with defined membership and a primary contact.
• Formal integration of crisis centers and 24/7 reporting channels (mobile app, multilingual access, toll-free hotline) into school safety operations.
• New requirements for public awareness, training (including violence prevention and warning-sign identification), and interagency coordination with law enforcement and emergency services.
• Regular, public reporting to the Legislature on system use, effectiveness, and demographics of students involved in responses or interventions.
• Authorization for DOE to fund and/or contract for statewide solutions and support services.

Potential Impacts to Note

• Strengthened ability to identify and respond to safety concerns in schools through an anonymous tip mechanism and coordinated response.
• Increased emphasis on prevention through evidence-based training and warning-sign awareness.
• Greater data collection and transparency about safety-related incidents, responses, and student outcomes.
• Resource and cost implications for schools and the state to implement, maintain, and train staff for the new system.

Relevant Terms - anonymous reporting system - crisis center - multilingual crisis center - evidence-based counseling - crisis intervention training - school-based team - primary contact - 24 hours a day reporting - toll-free hotline - public awareness - student violence prevention training - warning signs - data practices - FERPA - Department of Education (DOE) - Department of Public Safety - statewide anonymous reporting system - third parties / third-party vendors - disciplinary actions - nondisciplinary actions - interventions - reporting to legislature - false reports - school safety funding