School safety plans enhanced, anonymous threat reporting system established, circumstances when firearms are permitted on school property modified, additional student support personnel aid provided, and money appropriated.

A bill for an act

relating to school safety; enhancing school safety plans; establishing an anonymous

threat reporting system; modifying circumstances when firearms are permitted on

school property; providing for additional student support personnel aid; requiring

reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections

121A.035; 609.66, subdivision 1d; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section

124D.901, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,

chapter 121A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.035, is amended to read:

121A.035 CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY.

Subdivision 1.

Model policy.

The commissioner shall maintain and make available to

school boards and charter schools a model crisis management policy that includes, among

other items, cardiac emergency response plans,
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a model school safety plan under section

121A.036,
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school lock-down and tornado drills, consistent with subdivision 2, and school

fire drills under section
299F.30
.

Subd. 2.

School district and charter school policy.

(a) A school board and a charter

school must adopt a crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations

in the district or charter school. The policy must be developed cooperatively with

administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, law enforcement

agencies, other emergency management officials, county attorney offices, social service

agencies, emergency medical responders, and any other appropriate individuals or

organizations. The policy must include at least five school lock-down drills, five school fire

drills consistent with section
299F.30
, and one tornado drill.

(b) A school board or a charter school may adopt the model cardiac emergency response

plan provided by the commissioner under subdivision 1.

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(c) To the extent practical, a school board or charter school must integrate the school

safety plan adopted under section 121A.036 with the crisis management policy under this

section.

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Sec. 2.

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[121A.036] SCHOOL SAFETY PLANS.

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Subdivision 1.

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School Safety Center.

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(a) The School Safety Center at the Department

of Public Safety must:

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(1) develop an evidence-based model school safety plan for use by school boards and

post the plan in accordance with subdivision 2;

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(2) develop criteria to determine whether a school safety plan is evidence-based; and

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(3) prepare a report that identifies the school districts and charter schools that have

adopted an evidence-based school safety plan and post the report on the Department of

Public Safety's publicly facing website. The School Safety Center must submit the report

to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over public safety and kindergarten through

grade 12 education by December 1, 2028, and every two years thereafter.

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(b) The School Safety Center may provide consulting services to schools serving students

in kindergarten through grade 12 to develop, improve, or implement an evidence-based

school safety plan.

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(c) The School Safety Center may consult with the comprehensive school mental health

services lead at the Department of Education under section 127A.215 regarding schools'

safety plans.

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Subd. 2.

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Model plan.

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(a) The School Safety Center, in consultation with the Department

of Education, must maintain and make available to school districts and charter schools an

evidence-based model school safety plan to prevent human-caused safety incidents.

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(b) The School Safety Center must post the model plan on its website no later than

September 1, 2026. The School Safety Center may make evidence-based school safety plans

developed by third parties available to school boards.

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Subd. 3.

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Evidence-based.

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For purposes of this section and section 121A.0361,

"evidence-based" means an activity, strategy, or intervention that:

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(1) demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other

relevant outcomes based on:

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(i) strong evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented experimental

study;

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(ii) moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented

quasi-experimental study; or

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(iii) promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-implemented

correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or

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(2) demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research findings or positive evaluation

that the activity, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other

relevant outcomes, and includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of the activity,

strategy, or intervention.

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Subd. 4.

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Local school safety plan.

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(a) A school board of a district or charter school

must adopt an evidence-based school safety plan to prevent human-caused safety incidents.

To the extent practical, the school safety plan must integrate the crisis management policy

under section 121A.035. Beginning August 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, a school board

or charter school that has not yet adopted an evidence-based school safety plan must submit

the plan to the School Safety Center.

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(b) A nonpublic school is encouraged to develop an evidence-based school safety plan

and consult with the School Safety Center on evidence-based approaches to improve school

safety.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 3.

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[121A.0361] ANONYMOUS THREAT REPORTING SYSTEM.

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Subdivision 1.

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Definition; evidence-based.

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For purposes of this section, the term

"evidence-based" has the meaning given in section 121A.036, subdivision 3.

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Subd. 2.

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Anonymous threat reporting system.

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(a) Starting July 1, 2028, a school district

or charter school must either use and promote the Department of Public Safety's statewide

anonymous threat reporting system in accordance with subdivision 3, or implement its own

local anonymous threat reporting system in accordance with this subdivision. A local

anonymous threat reporting system must:

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(1) support anonymous reporting 24 hours a day using a mobile application and a

multilingual crisis center at a minimum;

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(2) include crisis centers staffed by persons with evidence-based counseling and crisis

intervention training;

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(3) promptly forward reported information to the appropriate school-based team;

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(4) support a coordinated response by schools, 911 telecommunicators, and law

enforcement to an identified crisis when response by schools and law enforcement is to be

reasonably expected to ensure public safety and welfare;

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(5) require and certify the training of a school-based team in each school to receive

notice of any report submitted through the anonymous threat reporting system concerning

the school, school personnel, or an enrolled student;

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(6) promote public awareness and education about the anonymous threat reporting system

and reporting methods before launching the system;

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(7) implement an evidence-based student violence prevention training that teaches

students how to identify observable warning signs and signals of an individual who may be

at risk of self-harm, the importance of taking threats seriously and seeking help, and how

to use the anonymous threat reporting system to report a person who is at risk of self-harm;

and

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(8) comply with data practices under chapter 13 and the Family Educational Rights and

Privacy Act of 1974, United States Code, title 20, section 1232g.

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(b) A school district or charter school that implements its own system may enter into a

contract to develop and implement an anonymous threat reporting system that meets the

requirements of this subdivision.

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(c) In addition to the system requirements under paragraph (a), a third party providing

a local anonymous threat reporting system to a school must establish:

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(1) a website to educate students on the availability of the anonymous threat reporting

system and provide guidance on how and when to use the system; and

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(2) a toll-free hotline that can be used to provide anonymous tips regarding dangerous,

violent, threatening, harmful, or potentially harmful activity that occurs, or is threatened

on, school property or relates to an enrolled student or school personnel.

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(d) A school district or charter school that establishes a local anonymous threat reporting

system must:

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(1) form a school-based team at each school site comprised of at least three employees;

and

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(2) report to the commissioner of education, in the form and manner determined by the

commissioner, the type of system adopted and the primary contact person for each

school-based team.

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(e) A school district or charter school that implemented a local anonymous threat reporting

system before this section was enacted may continue to use the system even if the system

or school-based team does not meet the requirements of this section. The district or charter

school may consult with the School Safety Center at the Department of Public Safety on

evidence-based approaches to improving the effectiveness of the system.

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(f) A nonpublic school may implement a local anonymous threat reporting system but

is not subject to the requirements of this subdivision.

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Subd. 3.

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Statewide anonymous threat reporting system; school requirements.

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A

school district or charter school that does not implement its own local anonymous threat

reporting system in accordance with subdivision 2 must provide to students, families,

employees, and community members information about the Department of Public Safety's

statewide anonymous threat reporting system and how to use the system. A district or charter

school must, at a minimum:

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(1) post on the district's or charter school's website information about the Department

of Public Safety's statewide anonymous threat reporting system;

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(2) include information in the student handbook about the Department of Public Safety's

statewide anonymous threat reporting system; and

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(3) notify parents annually of the availability of the Department of Public Safety's

statewide anonymous threat reporting system.

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Subd. 4.

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Department of Education.

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(a) The Department of Education must, in

collaboration with the Department of Public Safety, provide a list of third parties that provide

anonymous threat reporting systems that meet the requirements under this section to all

schools where a Minnesota resident may fulfill the compulsory instruction requirements

under section 120A.22. The list must include third parties that offer free or low-cost

anonymous threat reporting systems.

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(b) By January 15, 2029, and each year thereafter, the commissioner of education must

submit a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through

grade 12 education and public safety that lists the districts and charter schools that have

implemented a local anonymous threat reporting system, the type of system each one adopted,

and the districts and charter schools that have not implemented a local anonymous threat

reporting system.

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Subd. 5.

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Funding sources.

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The Department of Education and school districts and charter

schools may accept funding for the anonymous threat reporting system required under this

section from public and private sources, including state or federal funding, that is available

to increase school safety.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective July 1, 2026.

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Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 124D.901, subdivision 3, is amended

to read:

Subd. 3.

Student support personnel aid.

(a) The initial student support personnel aid

for an independent or special school district equals the greater of the student support

personnel allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the district for the current fiscal year

or $40,000. The initial student support personnel aid for a charter school equals the greater

of the student support personnel allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the charter

school for the current fiscal year or $20,000. Aid under this paragraph must be reserved in

a fund balance that, beginning in fiscal year 2025, may not exceed the greater of the aid

entitlement in the prior fiscal year or the fund balance in the prior fiscal year.

(b) The cooperative student support personnel aid for an independent or special school

district that is a member of an intermediate school district or other cooperative unit that

serves students equals the greater of the cooperative student support allowance times the

adjusted pupil units at the district for the current fiscal year or $40,000. If a district is a

member of more than one cooperative unit that serves students, the revenue must be allocated

among the cooperative units. Aid under this paragraph must not exceed actual expenditures.

(c) The student support personnel allowance equals $17.08 for fiscal year 2025, $30.05

for fiscal
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years
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year
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2026
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and 2027
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, and $34.32 for fiscal year
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2028
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2027
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and later.

(d) The cooperative student support allowance equals $0.85 for fiscal year 2025 and

$1.60 for fiscal year 2026 and later.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.66, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:

Subd. 1d.

Possession on school property; penalty.

(a) Except as provided under

paragraphs (d) and (f), whoever possesses, stores, or keeps a dangerous weapon while

knowingly on school property is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment

for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(b) Whoever uses or brandishes a replica firearm or a BB gun while knowingly on school

property is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

(c) Whoever possesses, stores, or keeps a replica firearm or a BB gun while knowingly

on school property is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), (b), or (c), it is a misdemeanor for a person authorized

to carry a firearm under the provisions of a permit or otherwise to carry a firearm on or

about the person's clothes or person in a location the person knows is school property.

Notwithstanding section
609.531
, a firearm carried in violation of this paragraph is not

subject to forfeiture.

(e) As used in this subdivision:

(1) "BB gun" means a device that fires or ejects a shot measuring .18 of an inch or less

in diameter;

(2) "dangerous weapon" has the meaning given it in section
609.02, subdivision 6
;

(3) "replica firearm" has the meaning given it in section
609.713
; and

(4) "school property" means:

(i) a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school building and its improved

grounds, whether leased or owned by the school;

(ii) a child care center licensed under chapter 142B during the period children are present

and participating in a child care program;

(iii) the area within a school bus when that bus is being used by a school to transport

one or more elementary, middle, or secondary school students to and from school-related

activities, including curricular, cocurricular, noncurricular, extracurricular, and supplementary

activities;
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and
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(iv) that portion of a building or facility under the temporary, exclusive control of a

public or private school, a school district, or an association of such entities where conspicuous

signs are prominently posted at each entrance that give actual notice to persons of the

school-related use
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.
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; and
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(v) that portion of a building or facility hosting an activity or event sponsored by the

Minnesota State High School League, pursuant to the authority granted to the league in

chapter 128C, where conspicuous signs are prominently posted at each entrance that give

actual notice to persons of the school-related use.

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(f)
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Except as provided for in paragraph (h),
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this subdivision does not apply to:

(1) active licensed peace officers;

(2) military personnel or students participating in military training, who are on-duty,

performing official duties;

(3) persons authorized to carry a pistol under section
624.714
while in a motor vehicle

or outside of a motor vehicle to directly place a firearm in, or retrieve it from, the trunk or

rear area of the vehicle;

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(4) persons who keep or store in a motor vehicle pistols in accordance with section

624.714
or
624.715
or other firearms in accordance with section
97B.045
;

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(5)
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(4)
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firearm safety or marksmanship courses or activities conducted on school property;

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(6)
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(5)
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possession of dangerous weapons, BB guns, or replica firearms by a ceremonial

color guard;
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or
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(7)
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(6)
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a gun or knife show held on school property
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;
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.
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(8) possession of dangerous weapons, BB guns, or replica firearms with written

permission of the principal or other person having general control and supervision of the

school or the director of a child care center; or

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(9) persons who are on unimproved property owned or leased by a child care center,

school, or school district unless the person knows that a student is currently present on the

land for a school-related activity.

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(g) Notwithstanding section
471.634
, a school district or other entity composed

exclusively of school districts may not regulate firearms, ammunition, or their respective

components, when possessed or carried by nonstudents or nonemployees, in a manner that

is inconsistent with this subdivision.

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(h) Notwithstanding sections 97B.045, 624.714, and 624.715, a person who is authorized

to carry a firearm on school property pursuant to paragraph (f) must secure and store their

firearms as provided for in this paragraph when the person is no longer in an eligible on-duty

status or not participating in that portion of the activity for which firearm possession is

authorized. Each firearm subject to this paragraph must be secured and stored as follows:

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(1) unloaded;

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(2) placed in a locked container, safe, or other secure device made to contain a firearm

that, when locked, cannot be readily opened without use of a key, combination, or electronic

code, and that is constructed to resist forced entry, tampering, and unauthorized access; and

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(3) placed in a locked trunk compartment of a motor vehicle or, if the motor vehicle

does not have a trunk compartment with a functioning lock, placed out of plain sight within

the vehicle.

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Sec. 6.
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APPROPRIATION.
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$....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of

education for additional student support personnel aid.

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