MN HF4515

Increases special education funding for school districts through higher per-pupil amounts for students with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, deaf/hard-of-hearing, emotional/behavioral disorders, and cognitive/physical disabilities, effective fiscal year 2020 and later.

Reduces tuition billbacks to resident school districts by lowering the percentage of unreimbursed special education costs charged from 90 percent to 50 percent for students attending nonresident districts, cooperatives, or charter schools.

Adds local optional revenue and operating referendum revenue to general education revenue calculations for eligible special education charter schools, allowing them to receive additional funding for educating non-special education students.

Modifies excess cost aid calculations by changing the reimbursement threshold from 7.0 percent to 2.5 percent of general revenue, increasing aid to districts with high special education costs.

Requires the commissioner to review special education charter school budgets and approve unreimbursed costs within 30 days, with final payments based on actual year-end financial and student data.