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SF2482 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Certain higher education provisions modifications

Related bill: HF2312

AI Generated Summary

This bill relates to higher education in Minnesota and makes policy and technical changes to various provisions, including sexual misconduct grievance procedures, student aid, and institutional grants. It also introduces new reporting requirements.

Key Provisions:

  1. Sexual Misconduct Grievance Procedures:

    • Postsecondary institutions must provide an impartial, timely, and thorough investigation into sexual misconduct reports.
    • If misconduct is found, institutions must take steps to prevent its recurrence and address its effects.
    • Academic and residential supportive measures must be provided equitably to both reporting and responding parties.
    • Institutions must allow both parties to present and review evidence and ensure dignity and respect throughout the process.
    • Institutions must have a hearing process where both parties can question credibility through advisors or adjudicators but cannot directly cross-examine each other.
    • Institutions must appoint independent decision-makers for assessing case credibility.
    • A campus sexual misconduct investigation can proceed concurrently with a criminal investigation if requested by the victim.
    • Limitations are placed on the admissibility of personal, medical, and prior sexual history evidence.
    • Preponderance of evidence will be the required standard of proof.
    • The outcome must be communicated to both parties simultaneously and at appropriate times with access to mental health resources.
    • Retaliation is strictly prohibited, and institutions must have clear policies outlining consequences for retaliation.

  2. Other Higher Education Policy Changes:

    • Updates to student aid and institutional grant provisions.
    • Requirements for reports on higher education policies.

  3. Repeals of Certain Statutes and Rules:

    • Several statutes and rules related to higher education, financial aid, and grants are repealed.

Impact:

  • Strengthens protections for students involved in sexual misconduct cases.
  • Enhances transparency and fairness in grievance proceedings.
  • Improves access to supportive measures for affected students.
  • Updates financial aid and grant administration for higher education institutions.

This bill is currently in the Senate and has been referred to the Higher Education Committee for further consideration.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toHigher Education
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toHigher Education

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirements for offering and coordinating academic and residential supportive measures.",
        "Clarification on the role and rights of advisors during disciplinary proceedings."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the campus investigation and disciplinary hearing procedures regarding sexual misconduct grievance procedures under section 135A.15, subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": [
        "Modifications to hearing procedures including the roles of decisionmakers and standards of evidence."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "135A.15",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirements for institutional grant reporting."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This legislation amends provisions related to higher education student aid and institutional grants under section 136A.246, specifically subdivisions 1a and 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates to eligibility criteria and application processes for student aid."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.246",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 1a, 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This provision makes changes to the general authority of the office overseeing higher education grants under section 136A.87.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the office's role in implementing new grant procedures."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.87",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill updates the administrative and operational procedures under section 136A.901, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Procedures for compliance with new statewide reporting standards."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "136A.901",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

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