Senate education committee advances omnibus bill with amendments on discipline, Narcan, student voice and AI limits

The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee on March 25 recommended Senate File 3870 — the committee’s policy omnibus — to be placed on general orders after adopting a package of amendments on student discipline, school health, student representation, teacher licensure and technology.

The committee’s markup included an amendment that narrows when districts may use out-of-school dismissals, requiring that suspensions be limited to incidents involving significant bodily harm or the potential for such harm. The amendment requires schools to hold a meeting with family members, counseling and instructional staff and other local stakeholders to identify contributing factors and create a return-to-school plan that can include mental-health supports; students may return after the second full school day if scheduling the meeting delays the return, the sponsor said.

Sponsor statements framed the change as an effort to reduce routine long suspensions while ensuring staff and student safety. The committee approved the discipline language by voice vote.

Committee members also approved an amendment to standardize Narcan (naloxone) availability and possession in schools, describing the change as a public-health measure to ensure life-saving medication is accessible statewide.

Another amendment, offered on behalf of the Minnesota Youth Council, encourages school boards to adopt processes to include nonvoting student representation to advise boards. Senators debated whether expanded public-comment opportunities would meet the intent; proponents said the goal is uniform inclusion of student voices across districts.

The markup included a clarification to dyslexia-screening language: after an initial screening for dyslexia characteristics, English learners will be screened according to vendor guidelines to avoid conflating limited English proficiency with dyslexia indicators, a sponsor said.

Lawmakers also adopted language defining 'qualified teacher' in statute and clarifying that artificial intelligence is not a qualified teacher in public schools; the provision also prohibits licensed teachers from using AI in place of a licensed educator, according to the sponsor’s explanation.

Additional approved changes included updates to Tier 2 teacher-licensing application requirements and the statutory definition of 'shortage area,' amendments to library statutes to clarify multi-county cooperation, policy on crisis-management supports for children needing extra care during drills, and language limiting in-class use of cell phones and newer 'smart glasses' consistent with local policies.

Chair remarks during and after the markup emphasized the committee’s effort to incorporate student and stakeholder input into the omnibus package. 'We value the opportunities students get to speak to this committee and that stakeholder engagement helps us refine policy,' the chair said during closing remarks.

The committee moved that Senate File 3870, as amended, be recommended to general orders; the motion passed by voice vote. Next steps for the bill include placement on the Senate calendar for further floor consideration.