SF 2956

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/18/2016 11:33am

A bill for an act
relating to education; enacting the Empowering Parents Act; establishing certain
curriculum review procedures and prohibitions; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 121A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [120B.201] A PARENT'S RIGHT TO NOTIFICATION OF THE
SEXUAL EDUCATION OF THE PARENT'S CHILD.
new text end

new text begin A school board shall, in consultation with parents, teachers, and school
administrators, adopt policies to promote the involvement of parents in the school
district's education program. The policies must include procedures providing for parent
notification not less than two weeks, but not more than six weeks, before any activity,
class, assignment, or program that includes content involving human reproduction, sexual
matters, sexual orientation as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 44, or sexual acts is
provided to a student and requiring written permission from the student's parent before the
student may participate in the activity, class, assignment, or program.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [120B.205] RESTRICTIONS ON CURRICULUM PROVIDERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A school district may not permit an abortion services provider or an employee or
volunteer of an abortion services provider to offer, sponsor, furnish course materials, or
provide instruction relating to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases.
new text end

new text begin (b) A school district and an educational services organization that has a contract with
a school district may not contract with an abortion services provider.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [121A.24] NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT SURVEYS AND
SIMILAR INSTRUMENTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A school district must obtain prior written informed consent from a parent or
guardian of a minor or dependent child before administering an academic or nonacademic
student survey, assessment, analysis, evaluation, or similar instrument that solicits
information about the student or the student's family concerning:
new text end

new text begin (1) political affiliations or beliefs;
new text end

new text begin (2) mental or psychological problems;
new text end

new text begin (3) sexual behavior or attitudes;
new text end

new text begin (4) illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
new text end

new text begin (5) critical appraisals of another individual with whom a student has a close family
relationship;
new text end

new text begin (6) legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those with
a lawyer, physician, or minister;
new text end

new text begin (7) religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs; or
new text end

new text begin (8) income or other income-related information required by law to determine
eligibility to participate in or receive financial assistance under a program.
new text end

new text begin (b) When asking a parent or guardian to provide informed written consent, the
school district must:
new text end

new text begin (1) make a copy of the instrument readily accessible to the parent or guardian at a
convenient location and reasonable time; and
new text end

new text begin (2) specifically identify the information in paragraph (a) that will be solicited
through the instrument. The district must request the consent of the parent or guardian at
least 14 days before administering the instrument.
new text end

new text begin (c) A parent or guardian seeking to compel a school district to comply with this
section has available the civil remedies under section 13.08, subdivision 4, in addition to
other remedies provided by law.
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