Purpose of the Bill

• The bill aims to improve the basic needs support for students in Minnesota's higher education institutions by establishing a Student Basic Needs Advisory Council. This council will help assess and address issues related to food and housing insecurity among students.

Main Provisions

• Creation of the Advisory Council: A Student Basic Needs Advisory Council will be established. This council will consist of 12 members, including representatives from various educational and governmental bodies, as well as student representatives from different student organizations across Minnesota.

• Council Duties and Powers: The advisory council will provide guidance on conducting a biennial assessment of students' basic needs, identify best practices for addressing food and housing insecurity, and monitor relevant policy changes. It will also propose policy and legislative changes to improve student access to resources.

• Biennial Assessments: Every two years, the commissioner will oversee an assessment to identify key areas of food and housing insecurity among students. This assessment will incorporate standardized questions and may be adjusted to incorporate best practices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill proposes new sections under Minnesota Statutes chapter 136A, introducing a structured approach to tackle student basic needs on a statewide level. Previously, no specific statewide advisory council focused exclusively on student basic needs such as housing and food insecurity.

• Unlike existing frameworks, the council will explicitly focus on providing legislative and policy recommendations regarding student needs, ensuring these are regularly assessed and addressed at the state level.

Reporting and Operations

• The advisory council is required to meet at least quarterly and will provide biennial reports to legislative committees by December 31 of even-numbered years, detailing the results of assessments and recommending actions.

• Terms will vary with student representatives serving one-year terms and non-student members serving two-year terms, with a structured expiration set for June 30, 2033.

Relevant Terms

Student Basic Needs Advisory Council, food insecurity, housing insecurity, biennial assessment, Minnesota higher education, postsecondary institutions, student homelessness, basic needs security.