Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to provide additional time and financial support for teachers in Minnesota to complete due process forms and procedures necessary for special education. This aims to ensure that these procedures are conducted efficiently and adequately support students' individualized education programs (IEPs) and individualized family services plans (IFSPs).

Main Provisions

• Due Process Days: Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, school districts, including charter schools and cooperative units, must give teachers four additional contract days each year to manage due process forms and procedures for students with IEPs or IFSPs.
• Distribution: These four days should be spread evenly throughout the academic year.
• Negotiation and Planning: School districts are required to negotiate with teachers' exclusive representatives to develop a plan using the revenue provided under this bill to allocate these additional days.
• Staffing Arrangements: If no agreement on staffing for these days is achieved, districts must allocate funds for substitute teachers on these due process days.

Due Process Aid

• Eligibility: School districts enrolling students with IEPs or IFSPs are eligible for additional funding known as "due process aid."
• Funding Calculation: The Minnesota Department of Education will calculate the statewide average cost for these additional due process days and convert this to a per-student allowance for districts.
• Adjustment: The funding allowance is set for 2026 and will be adjusted in subsequent years based on previous expenses related to due process days.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a structured process for allocating time and resources specifically for the completion of due process forms and procedures in special education, presenting a new legal requirement for Minnesota's educational system.

Relevant Terms

• Special education
• Due process
• Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP)
• Contract days
• Substitute teachers
• Negotiation with teachers' representatives