SF 4445

02/02/26  REVISOR  CR/RC  26-06702      as introduced
  SENATE
  STATE OF MINNESOTA
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION  S.F. No. 4445
  (SENATE AUTHORS: CLARK)
  DATE       D-PG  OFFICIAL STATUS
  03/17/2026      6735 Introduction and first reading
  Referred to Education Policy
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to education; establishing an Interagency Council on Student Attendance;
1.3requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.4Statutes, chapter 120A.
1.5    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6Section 1. [120A.29] INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE.
1.7Subdivision 1. Establishment. (a) The Interagency Council on Student Attendance is
1.8    established to improve coordination among state agencies, counties, school districts, and
1.9    charter schools to improve student attendance.
1.10(b) Section 15.059, subdivisions 2 to 4, apply to the council. The council must meet at
1.11   least quarterly. Meetings of the council are subject to the requirements of chapter 13D.
1.12(c) Upon request, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families must provide meeting
1.13   space and administrative support for the council.
1.14Subd. 2. Membership. The governor must appoint members to the Interagency Council
1.15   on Student Attendance. Council members must elect the council chair. The council must
1.16   include the following members:
1.17(1) a representative from the Department of Education;
1.18(2) a representative from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families;
1.19(3) a representative from the Department of Public Safety;
1.20(4) a representative from the Department of Human Services;
1.21(5) a representative from the Department of Transportation;
Section 1.  1
 02/02/26  REVISOR  CR/RC  26-06702  as introduced
2.1      (6) a representative from the Department of Health;
2.2      (7) a representative from the Department of Human Rights;
2.3      (8) a representative from the Department of Corrections;
2.4      (9) a representative from the Office of Higher Education;
2.5      (10) a representative from the Tribal Nations Education Committee;
2.6      (11) a representative from the Minnesota Youth Council;
2.7      (12) two representatives from the Association of Minnesota Counties, one member from
2.8  the seven-county metropolitan area and one member from outside the metropolitan area;
2.9      (13) two representatives from the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, one member
2.10 from the seven-county metropolitan area and one member from outside the metropolitan
2.11 area;
2.12     (14) a representative from the Minnesota School Boards Association;
2.13     (15) a representative from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts; and
2.14     (16) a representative from the Minnesota Rural Education Association.
2.15     Subd. 3. Duties. The council must develop solutions to address the causes of chronic
2.16 absenteeism, and must make recommendations for policy and funding changes to improve
2.17 student attendance. By November 1, 2027, and each year thereafter, the council must prepare
2.18 and submit a report to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the
2.19 legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education with
2.20 recommendations to enhance coordination among agencies, counties, school districts, and
2.21 charter schools to improve student attendance.
2.22     Subd. 4. Expiration. The Interagency Council on Student Attendance does not expire.
2.23     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.
2.24   Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON STUDENT
2.25 ATTENDANCE.
2.26     Subdivision 1. Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The sum indicated in
2.27 this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Children, Youth,
2.28 and Families in the fiscal year designated.
2.29     Subd. 2. Interagency Council on Student Attendance. (a) For the Interagency Council
2.30 on Student Attendance:
 Sec. 2.  2
02/02/26  REVISOR  CR/RC  26-06702   as introduced
3.1$  .......   ..... 2027
3.2     (b) The base for fiscal year 2028 and later is $........
3.3     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.
Sec. 2.  3