MN HF160

Requires the Minnesota Department of Education to create a service-learning specialist position to expand evidence-based service-learning programs and provide technical assistance to eligible schools and community partners, effective July 1, 2023.

Establishes a five-year Innovative Incubator Service-Learning Grants program to initiate, expand, and strengthen service-learning opportunities for kindergarten through grade 12 students to increase engagement, academic achievement, and close opportunity gaps.

Authorizes the commissioner to award up to 32 annual grants of up to $50,000 each to eligible school-community partnerships, with grants equitably distributed by congressional district and subject to a 50 percent match requirement unless waived for high-poverty schools.

Requires grantees to pass 50 percent of actual grant amounts to community-based organizations, agencies, or political subdivisions to help implement service-learning strategies and activities.

Appropriates $300,000 annually for fiscal years 2024-2025 for the service-learning specialist position and $1,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2024-2025 for innovation grants, with these amounts as baseline for 2026 and beyond, and requires a report on outcomes by February 15, 2030.