SF 3603 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Armed forces veterans high school diploma establishment

This bill creates a new high school diploma in Minnesota specifically for veterans who did not complete high school before joining the military. It allows the state education commissioner to award a standard diploma to eligible veterans who served in the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, or left high school to join active duty, provided they were honorably discharged and have a Minnesota connection (current resident, former student, or resident at time of death). The diploma is based on military service knowledge and experience, not traditional coursework. The Department of Education and Veterans Affairs will collaborate to assist veterans with applications.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Last action Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, refining the criteria for awarding high school diplomas to veterans. The changes clarify that diplomas can be issued to veterans who served during the Korean or Vietnam conflicts, regardless of whether their inability to finish high school was related to military service. The process now allows family members to request diplomas posthumously and requires schools to verify the veteran's connection to Minnesota.

Scope change

The scope of eligible veterans was broadened to include those who served during the Korean or Vietnam conflicts and were unable to complete high school for any reason, not just those who left school to serve.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility to include veterans who served in the Korean Conflict or Vietnam War and were unable to complete high school for reasons related or unrelated to military service.

REQUIREMENT

Added the ability for family members to request diplomas on behalf of deceased veterans or service members.

Required school districts to verify that the applicant was a former Minnesota student or current Minnesota resident.

Removed the previous requirement that the commissioner must establish the diploma program, shifting the implementation responsibility to individual school districts.

ENFORCEMENT

Stated that the Department of Veterans Affairs and county officers may assist schools with verification of discharge paperwork.

Floor votes

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No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2026

Committee

Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6, referred to Rules and Administration

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education Policy

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors