Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to support Minnesota postsecondary students by addressing their basic needs, specifically focusing on housing and food insecurity. It establishes a Student Basic Needs Advisory Council to guide and assess efforts in this area, ensuring students have access to necessary resources.

Main Provisions

• Creation of an Advisory Council: A 12-member Student Basic Needs Advisory Council will be created. This council includes eight non-student members from Minnesota educational institutions, faculty, staff, state agencies, and nonprofits, as well as four student representatives from various student associations.

• Duties of the Advisory Council: The council will provide advice on conducting a biennial needs assessment, recommend policy and legislative changes, identify best practices, monitor policy changes affecting student needs, and recommend resource improvements for students.

• Assessment of Student Needs: The commissioner of higher education will oversee a biennial assessment to identify and address key areas of food and housing insecurity among students.

• Reporting and Recommendations: The council must propose a work plan biannually and report its findings, including policy recommendations and trends, to the legislature by December 31 of each even-numbered year.

• Funding and Support: The commissioner may secure private and federal funds to assist the council's activities and facilitate assessments.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new statutory council under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.
• Introduces regular statewide assessments of student basic needs and institutionalizes the reporting of findings and recommendations for addressing these needs.

Relevant Terms

• Student Basic Needs Advisory Council
• Housing insecurity
• Food insecurity
• Postsecondary institutions
• Biennial assessment
• Legislative recommendations
• Student support services