SF3982

Rochester Public Schools school-based mental health program grant appropriation
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

Related bill: HF4529

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

Provide a one-time state general-fund appropriation to the Department of Education to grant Independent School District No. 535 Rochester a school-based mental health program. The grant is intended to continue activities that were originally funded by a U.S. Department of Education (federal) grant but were later canceled by the state Department of Education.

Main Provisions

A designated general-fund appropriation to the Department of Education for a grant to Rochester’s ISD 535 for a school-based mental health program.
The grant must be used to continue activities that were part of the U.S. Department of Education’s original federal grant for school-based mental health, which the state department had canceled.
Eligible uses of the grant are those allowed under the U.S. Department of Education’s original approval of the federal grant.
Up to two percent of the appropriation may be used for grant administration, notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes section 16B.98 subdivision 14.
This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until June 30, 2029.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Establishes a new one-time funding stream from the general fund specifically for a Rochester school-based mental health program.
Temporarily allows up to 2% of the appropriation to be used for grant administration, modifying the typical administrative cost limit referenced in Minnesota statutes (16B.98 subdivision 14).

Funding and Administration Details

Source: General fund, for the fiscal year designated in the act.
Recipient: Independent School District No. 535 Rochester.
Oversight: Department of Education administers the grant and ensures alignment with the original federal grant approvals.
Duration: Available until June 30, 2029 (one-time appropriation).

Implications and Impact

Aims to restore or sustain school-based mental health services in Rochester by reactivating or continuing programs funded by a federal grant that was canceled.
Provides administrative flexibility up to 2% to manage the grant.
Clarifies that the funded activities should mirror those originally approved by the federal grant.

What is Noted (Context)

The bill specifies the use of funds for a school-based mental health program in Rochester and references alignment with the original U.S. Department of Education approval.

Relevant Terms - general fund - Department of Education - Independent School District No. 535 Rochester - school-based mental health program - U.S. Department of Education - federal grant - grant administration - two percent (2%) - Minnesota Statutes section 16B.98 subdivision 14 - one-time appropriation - available until June 30, 2029

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Past committee meetings

Education Finance on: March 24, 2026 08:30

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 26, 2026	Senate		Action	Introduction and first reading
February 26, 2026	Senate		Action	Referred to	Education Finance

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes section 16B.98, subdivision 14, to authorize up to two percent of the appropriation for grant administration.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16B.98",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%

In Committee