Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing the Minnesota Imagination Library program;
requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 124D.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
new text begin
[124D.145] MINNESOTA IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin
Subdivision 1.
new text end
new text begin
Establishment.
new text end
new text begin
The Minnesota Imagination Library program is established
under the Department of Education to provide age-appropriate books to children from birth
to age five at no cost to families. The program shall be implemented through a partnership
with the Dollywood Foundation to foster foundational literacy and support the goals of the
Read Act under sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 2.
new text end
new text begin
Definitions.
new text end
new text begin
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end
new text begin
(b) "Eligible child" means a child from birth to five years of age who is a resident of
Minnesota.
new text end
new text begin
(c) "Local affiliate" means a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, school district, or
public library that has entered into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation to operate
the program within a specific geographic area.
new text end
new text begin
(d) "Statewide entity" means a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization selected by the
commissioner to coordinate the program statewide.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 3.
new text end
new text begin
Commissioner duties.
new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of education must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) select a statewide entity through a competitive process to coordinate the program;
new text end
new text begin
(2) provide a state match of 50 percent of the cost of books and mailing for all children
enrolled in the program through local affiliates; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) align program outreach with the department's early literacy initiatives to ensure
families are engaged in reading practices before kindergarten entry.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 4.
new text end
new text begin
Statewide entity duties.
new text end
new text begin
The selected statewide entity must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) manage the daily operations of the program and serve as the primary liaison to the
Dollywood Foundation;
new text end
new text begin
(2) assist local affiliates with the 50 percent local match requirement through fundraising
and grant-seeking efforts;
new text end
new text begin
(3) develop and implement a statewide marketing plan to enroll at least 50 percent of
eligible children by the end of fiscal year 2029; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) coordinate with school districts to include Imagination Library enrollment information
in early childhood screening appointments.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 5.
new text end
new text begin
Local partner requirements.
new text end
new text begin
To receive state matching funding, a local affiliate
must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) enter into an agreement with the Dollywood Foundation;
new text end
new text begin
(2) provide 50 percent of the funding required for the cost of books and mailing for
children in their service area; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) manage the enrollment of children within the local affiliate's defined geographic
boundaries.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 6.
new text end
new text begin
Reporting.
new text end
new text begin
By January 15 each year, the commissioner must submit a report
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education finance and policy on the
number of children enrolled per county, the number of books distributed, and an analysis
of how the program has impacted kindergarten readiness data.
new text end
new text begin
EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 2.
new text begin
APPROPRIATION.
new text end
new text begin
Subdivision 1.
new text end
new text begin
Department of Education.
new text end
new text begin
The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end
new text begin
Subd. 2.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Imagination Library.
new text end
new text begin
(a) For the Minnesota Imagination Library
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.145:
new text end
new text begin
$
new text end
new text begin
.......
new text end
new text begin
.....
new text end
new text begin
2027
new text end
new text begin
(b) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029.
new text end
new text begin
EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end