This bill modifies Minnesota's individualized education program (IEP) requirements for students with disabilities. It mandates that:

1. IEP Implementation: Each school district must have an IEP in place at the beginning of each school year for every child with a disability.
2. Instruction & Services: Students with disabilities must receive appropriate special instruction and services, considering their needs, least restrictive environment, and cost-effective options.
3. Medical Assistance & Diagnosis: IEP teams may authorize services covered by medical assistance and require written documentation from a licensed physician or healthcare provider for students diagnosed with a chronic or acute health condition.
4. Transition Planning: Starting in 9th grade (or delaying until age 16 upon parental request), the IEP must outline a transition plan for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.
5. Parent & Guardian Rights: Parents/guardians must be informed about transition goals and services, procedural safeguards, and participation in decisions regarding identification, assessment, and educational placement.
6. Inclusion: Students with disabilities should be educated alongside non-disabled peers whenever possible, with special placements occurring only when necessary.
7. Nondiscriminatory Assessment: Evaluation and testing materials must meet professional standards and should not be racially or culturally discriminatory.
8. Protection of Rights: If a child's parents or guardians are unknown, unavailable, or the child is a ward of the state, their rights must still be protected.

Additionally, Sec. 2 requires the Minnesota Commissioner of Education to amend rules regarding IEPs, removing the requirement for benchmarks or short-term objectives and only requiring measurable annual goals in IEPs.

This bill aims to enhance IEP procedures while ensuring equitable access to education for students with disabilities in Minnesota.