HF 324

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; prohibiting public school employees from using public
funds and resources to advocate to pass, elect, or defeat a political candidate,
ballot question, or pending legislation; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [123B.022] PROHIBITING SCHOOL EMPLOYEES FROM USING
PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR ADVOCACY; ENDORSING TIMELY AND
CURRENT FACTUAL INFORMATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) A school board must adopt and implement a districtwide policy that prohibits
district employees from using district funds or other publicly funded district resources,
including time, materials, equipment, facilities, and communication technologies, among
other resources, to advocate for electing or defeating a candidate, passing or defeating
a ballot question, or passing or defeating pending legislation. The policy must apply
when the employee performs the duties assigned to the employee under the employee's
employment contract with the district, and includes the periods when the employee
represents the district in an official capacity, among other duties. The policy must not
apply when an employee disseminates factual information consistent with the employee's
contractual duties.
new text end

new text begin (b) The school board must provide the district's electorate with timely factual
information about a pending ballot question.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2008.
new text end