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Committee adopts amendment to allow Korean‑ and Vietnam‑era veterans to request high school diplomas
Summary
House File 36‑85 (DE1 adopted) would let Korean War and Vietnam War veterans petition a local school district or relevant school to receive a high school diploma if they left school to serve. MDVA supported the language and offered to help verify discharge paperwork.
The House Veterans and Military Affairs Division adopted the DE1 amendment to House File 36‑85 on April 15, replacing the house language with the senate version and clarifying which institutions will provide diplomas to eligible veterans.
The bill would let Minnesota Korean War‑era and Vietnam War‑era veterans — or their families posthumously — petition a local school district or appropriate school to issue a high school diploma to individuals who left school to serve in those conflicts. John Kelly of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs told the committee the amendment reflects MDVA and Department of Education input and describes a common‑practice process school districts already use to recognize veterans who paused education to serve.
Witnesses and members discussed eligibility mechanics. Representative Olson (the bill sponsor) said diplomas could be issued based on request from the veteran or family, and that districts should be positioned to facilitate the recognition even if the original school no longer exists. Members asked whether private/nonpublic schools and charter schools are included; witnesses and MDVA explained the intent was to make access low‑burden by allowing local districts to provide the diploma if the veteran’s original school has closed or consolidated.
The committee asked practical questions about who would request the diploma and how districts would verify eligibility; MDVA said it can help school staff verify discharge paperwork. Representative Ray Brower asked why the senate language included the phrase "related or unrelated to military service" for leaving school; MDVA explained that during the draft period many who served were drafted and did not leave school voluntarily, so the language is intended to ensure eligibility for those older cohorts.
The DE1 amendment was adopted by voice vote; testimony continued and the matter will move forward in the legislative process. What’s next: sponsors and MDVA said they will continue to work with school districts and education staff on implementation details, with an eye to minimizing administrative burden for elderly applicants.
