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HF 3451

Anonymous threat reporting system grants provided to schools, report required, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Clardy and 3 co-sponsors

Provides one-time funding for K–12 anonymous threat reporting systems, with required nonstate matching, delivery across Minnesota regions, and annual reporting on use and recipient

Author added Clardy
#educationandeducationdepartment #safety
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Bill Summary · HF 3451

Summary of HF 3451 (Minnesota, 2025–2026)

Purpose and Intent

HF 3451 would establish a onetime appropriation to create and support anonymous threat reporting system grants for Minnesota K–12 schools. The core goal is to provide funding to develop, purchase, implement, operate, and maintain an anonymous threat reporting system, plus related staffing and response needs. The act also requires reporting on how grant funds are used.

Key Provisions

  • Appropriation and Source

    • Requires an appropriation of $0 (placeholder in the text) from the general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (in consultation with the Minnesota School Safety Center) to administer anonymous threat reporting system grants to eligible schools and districts.
    • This is a one-time appropriation, available through June 30, 2028, and does not cancel but is a non-cancelable (one-time) allocation.

  • Eligible Recipients

    • School districts
    • Charter schools
    • Cooperative units
    • Tribal contract schools
    • Eligible recipients are defined under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.24).

  • Grant Administration and Awards

    • Recipients may apply for grants using forms and processes established by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM).
    • DHS&EM may set application timelines and may award grants in multiple rounds.
    • Each grant may be awarded in an amount not exceeding a per-site cap (placeholder in the text) per district, charter school, cooperative unit, or Tribal contract school.
    • Grants require a minimum 50% match from nonstate funds (i.e., nonstate matching funds must be provided by the recipient or other nonstate sources).

  • Geographic and Regional Considerations

    • Grants must be distributed across all geographic regions of Minnesota.
    • At least half of the grants must be awarded to recipients with administrative offices located outside the 11-county metropolitan area, ensuring regional distribution.

  • Allowed Use of Funds

    • Funds may be used for:
    • Development, purchase, implementation, operation, and maintenance of an anonymous threat reporting system.
    • Staff compensation related to implementing and operating the system.
    • Compensation for staff who respond to threats received through the system.

  • Pre-Award Requirements

    • Before awarding a grant, recipients must provide documentation acceptable to the DHS&EM director detailing how the grant will be used, including identification of staff responsible for responding to threats.

  • Administration and Technical Support

    • The Department of Public Safety may retain up to 10% of the appropriation to administer the grants.
    • The Minnesota School Safety Center may provide technical assistance to districts, charter schools, cooperative units, and Tribal contract schools.

  • Reporting and Accountability

    • By February 15 following each year in which a grant is awarded, the Minnesota School Safety Center, DHS&EM, and the Department of Public Safety must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the relevant legislative committees (education and public safety) on:
    • How grant funds were awarded and distributed
    • The identities of grant recipients
    • How the grant funds were used by each recipient

Who is Affected

  • Primary: K–12 school entities in Minnesota (districts, charter schools, cooperative units, and Tribal contract schools) that apply for and receive grants.
  • Secondary: Agencies involved in administration and oversight (Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Minnesota School Safety Center, Department of Public Safety) and legislators overseeing education and public safety.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date and Availability: One-time appropriation made in fiscal year 2027; funds available until June 30, 2028.
  • Award Process: DHS&EM may establish application timelines and award grants in multiple rounds; exact dollar amounts and per-recipient caps are to be determined (placeholders in the current text).
  • Matching Requirement: Recipients must contribute at least 50% nonstate funding for grant eligibility.
  • Reporting: Annual after-grant reporting due by February 15 to legislative committees detailing recipients and fund usage.
  • Geographic Allocation: Ensures state-wide geographic distribution with a bias toward non–11-county metro area recipients.

Notes

  • The bill currently contains placeholder language for dollar amounts and per-site grant caps. Final text would specify the exact appropriation amount and any per-district grant limits.
  • This is presented as a one-time program rather than an ongoing appropriation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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