HF2454 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Law enforcement grant program established to help recruit and retain law enforcement officers, and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF2931
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this bill is to establish a grant program aimed at recruiting and retaining law enforcement officers in Minnesota by providing financial assistance for higher education.
Main Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The bill mandates the creation of a grant program that covers the cost of tuition and fees for students attending public postsecondary educational institutions in Minnesota, provided they meet specific eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the grant, individuals must:
- Be a resident of Minnesota and either a high school graduate or equivalent.
- Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or state aid application.
- Be enrolled in at least one credit per semester in a certificate, diploma, or degree program.
- Not possess a baccalaureate degree or have completed 12 semesters of enrollment.
- Not be in default on any educational loans or more than 30 days behind on court-ordered child support unless in compliance with a payment plan.
- Have no convictions related to fraud in obtaining federal funds.
- Be a peace officer or their dependent child, as defined by the bill.
Amount and Duration of Grants: Scholarships will cover 100% of tuition and fees after accounting for other financial aid. Grants are awarded each semester and can be renewed if eligibility criteria continue to be met. Award amounts may be adjusted if funding is insufficient.
Exceptions for Additional Grant Eligibility: Students may receive additional grant eligibility if they withdraw due to military service, a serious health condition, or the need to care for a family member with a serious health condition.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This introduces a new section in Minnesota Statutes, specifically targeting the financial support for education-related expenses for individuals associated with law enforcement, thereby addressing recruitment and retention issues in the sector.
Relevant Terms
law enforcement grants, tuition assistance, public postsecondary education, recruitment and retention, peace officer, educational funding, financial aid eligibility.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Higher Education Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"The definition of 'gift aid' as per existing Minnesota Statutes is used for clarity in the grant application's context."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "In this bill, section 136A.1465 clause 2 is referenced to define 'gift aid' for the purposes of the new law enforcement grant program.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "136A.1465",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies what constitutes 'other expenses' in the determination of grant amounts."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The existing definition of 'other expenses' from section 136A.1465 clause 3 is applied to the law enforcement grant program.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "136A.1465",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 clause 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides a clear legal definition of 'law enforcement agency' as per existing law."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The meaning of 'law enforcement agency' is derived from existing law section 626.84 for use in the new statute.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "626.84",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 paragraph f"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines 'peace officer' to ensure alignment with existing law."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The term 'peace officer' is defined using the existing legal framework provided in section 626.84.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "626.84",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1 paragraph c"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies eligibility criteria related to disability status using pre-existing statute."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill utilizes the existing definition of 'total and permanent duty disability' from section 353.656.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "353.656",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Ensures consistency with the residency status definitions already in use for educational purposes."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The term 'resident student' is applied to the new grant criteria using the existing definition from section 136A.101.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "136A.101",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Aligns academic performance requirements with established standards."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Utilizes the existing criteria for 'satisfactory academic progress' to set conditions for grant renewal.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "136A.101",
"subdivision": "subdivision 10"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Incorporates compliance with child support obligations into eligibility for education grants."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "References existing child support enforcement measures for grant eligibility considerations.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "518A.69",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Acknowledges and accommodates service members' obligations in educational grant policies."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Incorporates withdrawal from enrollment eligibility for grants due to active military service, referencing previous law.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "190.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5b"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Ensures that definitions for military service are consistent with existing statutes for fair administration of grants."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Utilizes existing military service definitions for eligibility adjustments in grant offerings.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "190.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5c"
}
]