HF2459

Purpose

• Authorizes a one-time financial grant from the state’s general fund to support early childhood services for children with specific hearing-related disabilities.

Main Provisions

• Targeted recipient and purpose: A grant to Metro Deaf School to provide services to young children who have a primary disability of deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
• Eligibility criterion: The children served are not eligible for funding under Minnesota Statutes section 124E.11 paragraph h.
• Funding amount and source: An appropriation from the general fund in a designated amount (listed in the bill as $1,500,001) to be used for the Metro Deaf School’s services.
• Duration: This is a one-time appropriation (not a continuing program), with the funds designated for specified fiscal years in the section.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new, targeted funding pathway for Metro Deaf School by providing a one-time grant from the general fund, expanding support beyond existing funding streams.
• Specifically earmarks funds for a population not covered by 124E.11(h), potentially increasing resources for early childhood deaf-related services without altering existing statutory funding structures.

Practical Impact

• Provides targeted financial support to a specialized school to expand or initiate services for young children with deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing disabilities who aren’t eligible under current funding rules.
• Introduces a temporary funding augmentation rather than a permanent program, influencing short-term budgeting for the Department of Education and Metro Deaf School.

Relevant Terms - Metro Deaf School - Department of Education - general fund - grant - early childhood services - young children - primary disability - deaf - deafblind - hard of hearing - not eligible for funding - Minnesota Statutes section 124E.11 paragraph h - one-time appropriation - fiscal years - education finance