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SF 2057

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/07/2019 03:51pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to education; clarifying speech and press rights of student journalists in
grades 6 through 12; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
121A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [121A.80] STUDENT JOURNALISM; STUDENT EXPRESSION.
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 terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "School-sponsored media" means material that is:
new text end

new text begin (1) prepared, wholly or substantially written, published, broadcast, or otherwise
disseminated by a student journalist enrolled in a public school, including a charter school;
new text end

new text begin (2) distributed or generally made available to students in the school; and
new text end

new text begin (3) prepared by a student journalist under the supervision of a student media adviser.
new text end

new text begin School-sponsored media does not include material prepared solely for distribution or
transmission in the classroom in which the material is produced.
new text end

new text begin (c) "School official" means a school principal under section 123B.147 or other person
having administrative control or supervision of a school.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Student journalist" means a public school student in grades 6 through 12 who gathers,
compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or otherwise prepares information for
dissemination in school-sponsored media.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Student media adviser" means a person a school district or charter school employs,
appoints, or designates to supervise student journalists or provide instruction relating to
school-sponsored media.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Student journalists; protected conduct. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in subdivision
3, a student journalist has the right to exercise freedom of speech and freedom of the press
in school-sponsored media regardless of whether the school-sponsored media receives
financial support from the school or district, uses school equipment or facilities in its
production, or is produced as part of a class or course in which the student journalist is
enrolled. Consistent with subdivision 3, a student journalist has the right to determine the
news, opinion, feature, and advertising content of school-sponsored media. A school district
or charter school must not discipline a student journalist for exercising rights or freedoms
under this paragraph or the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
new text end

new text begin (b) A school district or charter school must not retaliate or take adverse employment
action against a student media adviser for supporting a student journalist exercising rights
or freedoms under paragraph (a) or the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding the rights or freedoms of this subdivision or the First Amendment
of the United States Constitution, nothing in this section inhibits a student media adviser
from teaching professional standards of English and journalism to student journalists.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Unprotected expression. new text end

new text begin (a) This section does not authorize or protect student
expression that: (1) is libelous or slanderous; (2) is profane, harassing, threatening, or
intimidating; (3) constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy; (4) violates federal or state
law; (5) causes a material and substantial disruption of school activities; or (6) incites
behavior that creates a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on
school premises or the violation of lawful school policies or rules, including a policy adopted
in accordance with section 121A.03 or 121A.031.
new text end

new text begin (b) A school or district must not authorize any prior restraint of school-sponsored media
except under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Student journalist policy. new text end

new text begin School districts and charter schools must adopt and
post a student journalist policy consistent with this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2019-2020 school year and later.
new text end