HF 1408

01/28/25   REVISOR  CR/KR  25-01970
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request  State of Minnesota
  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
  H. F. No.   1408
02/24/2025     Authored by Virnig, Bakeberg and Sencer-Mura
  The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Education Finance
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to education; establishing a grant program to support community literacy
1.3initiatives; appropriating money.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; COMMUNITY LITERACY INITIATIVES.
1.6Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
1.7appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
1.8designated.
1.9Subd. 2. Community literacy initiatives. (a) For grants to support community literacy
1.10initiatives:
1.11$  1,000,000  ..... 2026
1.12$  1,000,000  ..... 2027
1.13(b) A grant recipient must use grant money to support community-based public awareness
1.14and family literacy initiatives, including but not limited to the following activities:
1.15(1) developing and distributing literacy and grade-level guides to community
1.16organizations, schools, libraries, and other relevant groups that describe the reading
1.17acquisition process, the roles families play in literacy, and suggestions on supportive
1.18activities. Literacy and grade-level guides must reflect best practices in the science of reading
1.19and align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes, sections
1.20120B.118 to 120B.124;
1.21(2) developing and distributing public awareness resources, including literacy toolkits
1.22for families; and
Section 1.  1
01/28/25   REVISOR  CR/KR  25-01970
2.1      (3) providing training for schools, community groups, libraries, and other relevant groups
2.2  on how to effectively use the literacy and grade-level guides with families, ensuring the
2.3  materials are used to their full potential in supporting student literacy development.
2.4  Schools may facilitate distribution of literacy and grade-level guides and literacy toolkits
2.5  to students and families at their discretion, ensuring broad accessibility.
2.6      (c) The commissioner must establish a competitive grant process to enhance and expand
2.7  community-led efforts to provide literacy support to children and families. The competitive
2.8  grant process must align with the requirements of the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
2.9  sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, and must emphasize evidence-based literacy practices. The
2.10 commissioner must prioritize grant applications that demonstrate expertise in developing
2.11 literacy and grade-level guides and public awareness resources for families.
2.12     (d) Up to $200,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2026 may be used for the
2.13 development and delivery of after-school pilot programs. To be eligible to receive pilot
2.14 program money, an organization must demonstrate:
2.15     (1) a proven track record of implementing high-quality, research-based learning curricula
2.16 that have led to significant improvements in student achievement in literacy;
2.17     (2) experience providing professional development and coaching to educators, resulting
2.18 in enhanced instructional practices and student outcomes;
2.19     (3) capacity to deliver multicultural, project-based, and integrated reading and writing
2.20 supports tailored to students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading; and
2.21     (4) alignment with evidence-based reading strategies consistent with the Read Act under
2.22 Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
2.23     (e) A pilot program receiving grant money under paragraph (d) must effectively support
2.24 students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading.
2.25     (f) A grant recipient may use a portion of the grant money for coaching and mentoring
2.26 teachers who have received professional development training under the Read Act under
2.27 Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.123, subdivision 5, and require ongoing support. Coaching
2.28 and mentoring must focus on equipping teachers to support underserved students and
2.29 communities and ensure sustained improvement in literacy instruction. Coaching and
2.30 mentoring must align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
2.31 sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
2.32     (g) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
Section 1.  2