HF 1648

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/09/2015 02:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; clarifying parental review of curriculum; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.20.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.20, is amended to read:

120B.20 PARENTAL CURRICULUM REVIEW.

new text begin (a) new text end Each school district shall have a procedure for a parent, guardian, or an adult
student, 18 years of age or older, to review the content of the instructional materials new text begin in
a classroom, school library, or media center new text end to be provided to a minor child or to an
adult student and, if the parent, guardian, or adult student objects to the content, to make
reasonable arrangements with school personnel for alternative instruction. Alternative
instruction may be provided by the parent, guardian, or adult student if the alternative
instruction, if any, offered by the school board does not meet the concerns of the parent,
guardian, or adult student. The school board is not required to pay for the costs of
alternative instruction provided by a parent, guardian, or adult student. School personnel
may not impose an academic or other penalty upon a student merely for arranging
alternative instruction under this section. School personnel may evaluate and assess the
quality of the student's work.

new text begin (b) When a parent, guardian, or an adult student reviewing the content of
instructional materials under paragraph (a) objects to the content and informs the district
that the person considers the content sexually explicit or obscene and therefore harmful
to minors, the school district, by electronic or other means, must immediately notify the
parents and guardians of all students in the course, grade, program, or other school activity
who are being provided the content that a parent, guardian, or an adult student reviewed
the content and considers it sexually explicit or obscene and therefore harmful to minors.
The name of and other personally identifiable data on the parent, guardian, or adult student
who reviewed the content and considers it sexually explicit or obscene and therefore
harmful to minors is private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each district annually must inform parents, guardians, and adult students of their
right to review the content of instructional materials, make reasonable arrangements for
alternative instruction, and receive notice, consistent with paragraph (b), when a parent,
guardian, or an adult student objects to the content because the person considers the
content sexually explicit or obscene and therefore harmful to minors.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end