MN SF2305

Creates a unified online system for collecting and reporting special education due process data to reduce paperwork burdens on educators and allow them to focus on teaching students with disabilities.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to integrate, customize, and sustain a streamlined, user-friendly statewide online system with a single integrated model form that interfaces with existing state reporting systems like MARSS and Child Count.

System must be made available to school districts without charge beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, with optional vendor contracts permitted through 2017-2018 and mandatory use of the state system beginning in 2018-2019.

Establishes system requirements including reducing teacher paperwork, facilitating transfer of records for mobile and homeless students, addressing language barriers for parents, enabling billing to medical assistance and third-party payers, and maintaining data audit trails recording all user actions and access.

Requires the Commissioner to consult with special education experts, teachers, parents, and advocacy groups during development, establish a public web interface for information about special education reports, and submit annual status reports to the legislature by February 1.

Appropriates $1,763,000 in fiscal year 2014 for a contract to MNIT to support the system's development.