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A bill for an act
relating to higher education; prohibiting the Office of Higher Education from using
public money to support low-earning degree programs; requiring a report; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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[136A.045] RESTRICTING STATE MONEY FOR LOW-EARNING
DEGREE PROGRAMS.
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Subdivision 1.
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Definition.
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For purposes of this section, a "low-earning degree program"
means a program that has lost eligibility to receive federal money under United States Code,
title 20, section 1087d(c).
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Subd. 2.
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State money restricted.
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Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the
commissioner must not allocate or expend state money under any program administered by
the Office of Higher Education to directly or indirectly support a low-earning degree program.
This prohibition applies to:
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(1) student financial aid programs, including but not limited to programs under sections
136A.091 to 136A.1465;
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(2) student loan programs and loan repayment programs, including but not limited to
programs under sections 136A.15 to 136A.1796; and
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(3) programs providing state money to institutions, including any grant programs.
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Subd. 3.
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Public information; legislative report.
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(a) At least annually, the commissioner
must review federal determinations of low-earning degree programs.
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(b) The commissioner must maintain on the Office of Higher Education's public website
a list of all current low-earning degree programs at postsecondary institutions located in
Minnesota.
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(c) By February 15 each year, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher
education finance and policy, including, at a minimum:
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(1) the current list of low-earning degree programs at postsecondary institutions located
in Minnesota;
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(2) information about enforcement and implementation of this section by the Office of
Higher Education; and
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(3) the estimated amount of state money saved, reallocated, or redirected away from
low-earning degree programs as a result of this section.
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Subd. 4.
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Rules.
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The commissioner shall develop policies and adopt rules as necessary
to implement this section.
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EFFECTIVE DATE.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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