Minnesota committee hears bill to expand counseling aid to K–6 students in nonpublic schools

The House Education Finance Committee heard testimony on House File 984 on March 5, 2025, a bill that would expand nonpublic pupil counseling aid to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Chair Krisha Kresha laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a later omnibus bill.

Advocates, nonpublic school leaders and the bill’s author said early counseling can prevent more intensive interventions later and argued many nonpublic elementary students lack access to school-based counseling. Representative Clardy, the bill’s chief author, told the committee that nonpublic students currently receive counseling services beginning in grades 7–12 and that HF 984 would extend coverage to younger grades.

Tim Benz, identified in testimony as president of Independent (a statewide organization representing nonpublic schools), said the organization’s 180 member schools enroll more than 41,000 students and that expanding the aid would open services to “more than 44,000 students in grades K through 6 in nonpublic schools.” He cited Minnesota Statute 123B.40 and federal requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and IDEA as context for providing equitable…