MN HF516

Requires school boards to reopen schools for continuous on-site instruction (at least four days per week) in a phased schedule beginning January 18, 2021, with students with individualized education programs by February 1, 2021, followed by elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools by March 19, 2021.

Allows school boards to adopt an accelerated reopening schedule and permits the 2020-2021 school year to include fewer than 165 instructional days structured as a four-day week schedule.

Mandates school boards adopt and post a safe learning plan considering Department of Health guidance, including encouragement of masks if three feet of distance cannot be maintained and reduction of activities in shared spaces like cafeterias.

Prohibits schools from requiring children in prekindergarten or students in grades kindergarten through 3 to wear masks.

Permits parents or guardians to choose distance instruction instead of on-site instruction for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, with school districts required to offer a distance instruction model meeting educational needs of families who opt out.