SF713

Purpose

• Establish a firearm safety and active shooter preparedness framework for schools and colleges, with a focus on teachers and employees who hold a permit to carry or are in the process of obtaining one.

Main Provisions

• Creation of a school and postsecondary institution firearm training program focused on active shooter response.
• The training program is to be developed and run by the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in consultation with security and law enforcement experts.
• Training must be offered at least once per year and provided at no cost to eligible teachers and employees at public schools, charter schools, and postsecondary institutions.
• The program may be provided directly by the BCA or contracted out to a private organization.
• Eligibility for training admission is limited to teachers and employees who have completed training for a permit to carry under Minnesota law (section 624.714) within the past year or who already hold a valid permit to carry.
• The definitions of “teacher” and “employee” for this section align with existing Minnesota statutes (with references to the relevant sections for these terms).

How it changes existing law

• Adds a new requirement to establish and run an ongoing active shooter firearm training program for school staff.
• Integrates firearm training with permit-to-carry requirements, tying eligibility for the training program to possession or imminent possession of a carry permit.
• Amends statutes related to firearms and carrying (sections 609.66 and 624.714) to add a subdivision related to this new training framework.
• Creates new law in chapter 299C to codify the program and its requirements.

Implementation and oversight

• The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension leads the program and works with security and law enforcement experts to ensure the training covers active shooter response.
• The program is designed to be cost-free for participants, ensuring broad access for eligible staff.
• The state may contract with private organizations to deliver the training, expanding capacity and reach.

Eligibility and definitions

• Eligible participants: teachers and employees of public elementary, middle, and secondary schools, charter schools (under chapter 124E), and postsecondary institutions (under chapters 136F or 137).
• Definitions: “teacher” and “employee” follow existing statutory definitions (specific sections referenced in the bill).

What this means for schools and staff

• Schools would implement a formal, annual training program on active shooter scenarios for staff who either have a carry permit or are within one year of obtaining one.
• Training is designed to be accessible (no cost) and may be delivered directly by the state or through a private partner.

Relevant changes in practice - Emphasis on preparation and readiness for active shooter incidents among staff who are legally permitted to carry. - Possible changes in on-site safety planning, training schedules, and oversight of carry-permit holders among school staff.

Relevant Terms - active shooter - firearm training - permit to carry - Minnesota Statutes 624.714 - Minnesota Statutes 609.66 - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) - school staff / teachers and employees - public schools - charter schools (chapter 124E) - postsecondary institutions (chapters 136F or 137) - private organization (training provider) - no-cost training - annual training - section 299C (new law)