MN HF967

School districts and charter schools may voluntarily receive school social worker aid by notifying the commissioner of education by June 1 of the year preceding aid provision.

Participating schools must adopt a written plan establishing timelines to achieve a ratio of at least one full-time social worker for every 250 students in average daily membership.

Aid amount equals the greater of $20,000 or $200 multiplied by the school's pupil units for that year.

Schools receiving aid must maintain the same number of school social workers employed in the fiscal year before first receiving aid and cannot reduce that workforce.

State aid funds must be reserved and spent only for salaries, benefits, materials, and contract costs of school social workers, with schools permitted to contract for services to meet staffing ratios.