HF 4662

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/07/2024 02:44pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing academic freedom protections for
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities faculty; creating an artificial intelligence
working group; requiring a report; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 136F.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.405] ACADEMIC FREEDOM PROTECTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following term has the
meaning given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Academic freedom" means the freedom of an educator or researcher in higher
education to investigate and discuss the issues in their academic field, and to teach or publish
findings without interference from political figures, boards of trustees, donors, or other
entities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Faculty rights. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must maintain
policies that support and encourage academic freedom. A faculty member at a Minnesota
state institution may, without limitation, discuss the subject matter in the classroom of the
courses the faculty member is assigned to teach without interference from political figures,
boards of trustees, donors, or other entities. Each faculty member shall have the right to
teach in an atmosphere of free intellectual inquiry and shall not be subjected to restraints
or harassment that would impair teaching.
new text end

new text begin (b) A faculty member is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of
results, so long as the faculty member fulfills the requirements and duties of the academic
position held.
new text end

new text begin (c) A Minnesota state institution shall not discriminate against a faculty member for
engaging in political activities or holding or voicing political views, so long as the exercise
of this right does not interfere with the faculty member's job responsibilities as a faculty
member.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Artificial intelligence regulation. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
institutions may not use artificial or generative intelligence as the primary instructor for a
credit-bearing course. Credit-bearing courses must be taught by an instructor of record who
is a living human being employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
new text end

new text begin (b) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institutions may not use artificial or
generative intelligence to provide library services, counseling and crisis intervention services,
athletic coaching, and training. Library services, counseling services, athletic coaching, and
training must be provided by a faculty member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
who is a living human employed by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), faculty retain the right to use artificial or
generative intelligence as part of their teaching and other work duties.
new text end

new text begin (d) When artificial or generative intelligence is used by faculty or staff of a Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities institution, it must be cited and made clear to students as
being developed using artificial or generative intelligence.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENT WORKGROUP.
new text end

new text begin The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall convene
a work group to develop policies and procedures for the safe and ethical use of artificial
intelligence. The board must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education by May 1, 2025. The
work group must include representatives from:
new text end

new text begin (1) the Minnesota State University Student Association;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Minnesota State College Student Association;
new text end

new text begin (3) the Minnesota State College Faculty;
new text end

new text begin (4) the Inter Faculty Organization;
new text end

new text begin (5) the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees;
new text end

new text begin (6) the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty;
and
new text end

new text begin (7) others as deemed necessary by the workgroup.
new text end