Bill Text: MN HF3042 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Early learning scholarship registration process simplified, and program provider payment process clarified.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-13 - Introduction and first reading, referred to Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy [HF3042 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-HF3042-Introduced.html
1.2relating to education finance; simplifying the registration process for certain
1.3recipients of early learning scholarships; clarifying the payment process for
1.4certain program providers;amending Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement,
1.5section 124D.165, subdivision 3.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 124D.165, subdivision 3,
1.8is amended to read:
1.9 Subd. 3. Administration. (a) The commissioner shall establish application
1.10timelines and determine the schedule for awarding scholarships that meets operational
1.11needs of eligible families and programs. The commissioner may prioritize applications on
1.12factors including family income, geographic location, and whether the child's family is on a
1.13waiting list for a publicly funded program providing early education or child care services.
1.14(b) Scholarships may be awarded up to $5,000 for each eligible child per year.
1.15(c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled
1.16in or on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify
1.17the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year
1.18of the program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than
1.19current funding provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of
1.20scholarship slots for that program and notify the program of that number. A program
1.21qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration process to enroll
1.22scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family income in the same
1.23manner as for other program participants.
1.24(d) A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has
1.25not been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within ten months of the
2.1awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in
2.2order to be eligible for another scholarship. A child may not be awarded more than one
2.3scholarship in a 12-month period.
2.4(e) A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development
2.5screening under sections121A.16 to
121A.19 must complete that screening within 90
2.6days of first attending an eligible program.
2.7(f) A program enrolling scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the
2.8commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment
2.9of state aid. Upon receipt of the application, the commissioner must pay each program
2.10directly for each approved scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to
2.11the metered payment system or another schedule established by the commissioner.
2.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.3recipients of early learning scholarships; clarifying the payment process for
1.4certain program providers;amending Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement,
1.5section 124D.165, subdivision 3.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 124D.165, subdivision 3,
1.8is amended to read:
1.9 Subd. 3. Administration. (a) The commissioner shall establish application
1.10timelines and determine the schedule for awarding scholarships that meets operational
1.11needs of eligible families and programs. The commissioner may prioritize applications on
1.12factors including family income, geographic location, and whether the child's family is on a
1.13waiting list for a publicly funded program providing early education or child care services.
1.14(b) Scholarships may be awarded up to $5,000 for each eligible child per year.
1.15(c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled
1.16in or on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify
1.17the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year
1.18of the program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than
1.19current funding provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of
1.20scholarship slots for that program and notify the program of that number. A program
1.21qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration process to enroll
1.22scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family income in the same
1.23manner as for other program participants.
1.24(d) A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has
1.25not been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within ten months of the
2.1awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in
2.2order to be eligible for another scholarship. A child may not be awarded more than one
2.3scholarship in a 12-month period.
2.4(e) A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development
2.5screening under sections
2.6days of first attending an eligible program.
2.7(f) A program enrolling scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the
2.8commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment
2.9of state aid. Upon receipt of the application, the commissioner must pay each program
2.10directly for each approved scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to
2.11the metered payment system or another schedule established by the commissioner.
2.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
