HF 2685

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/20/2023 03:44pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous
Peoples, and other genocides for middle and high school students; creating a
working group on education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples,
and other genocides; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [120B.25] HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,
AND OTHER GENOCIDE EDUCATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Holocaust and genocide studies" means interdisciplinary
teaching and learning about the causes, impacts, and legacies of the Holocaust, other
genocides, and incidents of mass violence.
new text end

new text begin (b) The "Holocaust" was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of
6,000,000 Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Genocide" means an internationally recognized crime where acts are committed
with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Acts of genocide, as defined by the United Nations and the Rome Statute, include the
following categories:
new text end

new text begin (1) killing members of the group;
new text end

new text begin (2) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
new text end

new text begin (3) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its
physical destruction in whole or in part;
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new text begin (4) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; or
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new text begin (5) forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
new text end

new text begin Genocide also means a series of purposeful actions by a perpetrator or perpetrators to destroy
a collectivity through mass or selective murders of group members and suppressing the
biological and social reproduction of the collectivity. The perpetrator or perpetrators may
represent the state of the victim, another state, or another collectivity.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Incidents of mass violence" means extreme violence deliberately inflicted on a large
scale on civilians or noncombatants by state or nonstate actors. Incidents of mass violence
encompass the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and
terrorism.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies" means the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A school district must, at a minimum, offer as part of its
social studies curriculum for middle and high school education on the Holocaust, genocide
of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides. Curriculum must:
new text end

new text begin (1) examine the history of the genocide of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous removal
from Minnesota, including the genocide, dispossession, and forced removal of the Dakota,
Ojibwe, and Ho-Chunk;
new text end

new text begin (2) analyze the connections between World War II, nationalism, fascism, antisemitism,
and the Holocaust;
new text end

new text begin (3) analyze how individuals, groups, and societies around the world have been affected
by genocide, such as the genocide of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas and throughout
the world; Black genocide in the United States and the Americas; the genocide in German
Southwest Africa; Armenian genocide; the genocide of the Ukrainian people from 1932 to
1933, also known as the Holodomor; the Holocaust, including non-Jewish victims of Nazi
persecution and genocide; Cambodian genocide; Guatemalan genocide; Rwandan genocide;
genocide in the former Yugoslavia; genocide in Darfur; Rohingya genocide; and other
historical and contemporary cases of genocide and mass violence, especially those
experienced by communities expelled from, resettled in, migrated to, or living in Minnesota;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) describe and evaluate different responses to genocides and other human rights
violations, such as the genocide of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas and throughout the
world; Black genocide in the United States and the Americas; the genocide in German
Southwest Africa; Armenian genocide; the genocide of the Ukrainian people from 1932 to
1933, also known as the Holodomor; the Holocaust, including non-Jewish victims of Nazi
persecution and genocide; Cambodian genocide; Guatemalan genocide; Rwandan genocide;
genocide in the former Yugoslavia; genocide in Darfur; Rohingya genocide; and other
historical and contemporary cases of genocide.
new text end

new text begin (b) Public schools are strongly encouraged to include in middle and high school social
studies curriculum context about the history, culture, and traditions of the communities
devastated by the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, other genocides, and incidents
of mass violence.
new text end

new text begin (c) School districts are strongly encouraged to include the Holocaust, genocide of
Indigenous Peoples, other genocides, and incidents of mass violence in middle and high
school English language arts curriculum.
new text end

new text begin (d) A school district must provide Holocaust and genocide education as part of its
curriculum in middle and high school by the 2025-2026 school year in accordance with
Department of Education rulemaking on social studies standards and benchmarks.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin WORKING GROUP ON EDUCATION ON THE HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE
OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND OTHER GENOCIDES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Working group established. new text end

new text begin (a) The Working Group on Education on
the Holocaust, Genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and Other Genocides is established to
advise the commissioner of education and develop resources necessary to implement
requirements for education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other
genocides under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.25. The commissioner must appoint
members of the working group by April 1, 2024, based on the guidance and recommendations
from the cochairs of the working group.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Working Group on Education on the Holocaust, Genocide of Indigenous Peoples,
and Other Genocides must have a minimum of 11 members, but no more than 21 members,
consisting of the following members:
new text end

new text begin (1) at least one representative, who shall cochair the working group, from the Center for
Holocaust and Genocide Studies;
new text end

new text begin (2) at least one representative, who shall cochair the working group, with expertise in
training middle and high school teachers in Holocaust and other genocide education;
new text end

new text begin (3) at least one representative from a Minnesota college or university with academic
expertise in the genocide of Indigenous Peoples in Minnesota or in the Americas and
throughout the world;
new text end

new text begin (4) at least one additional representative from a Minnesota college or university other
than the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies with academic expertise in Holocaust
and genocide studies;
new text end

new text begin (5) at least one representative from a Minnesota teacher licensure program with expertise
in the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocide studies;
new text end

new text begin (6) at least three representatives from Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations,
community groups, sovereign nations, or institutions of higher education whose missions
include educating about and honoring the victims and survivors of the displacement and
genocide of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas and throughout the world; Black genocide
in the United States and the Americas; the genocide in German Southwest Africa; Armenian
genocide; the genocide of the Ukrainian people from 1932 to 1933, also known as the
Holodomor; the Holocaust, including non-Jewish victims of Nazi persecution and genocide;
Cambodian genocide; Guatemalan genocide; Rwandan genocide; genocide in the former
Yugoslavia; genocide in Darfur; Rohingya genocide; and other historical and contemporary
cases of genocide;
new text end

new text begin (7) at least one public middle or high school social studies teacher with experience
teaching the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, or other genocides in the classroom;
new text end

new text begin (8) at least one public middle or high school English language arts teacher with experience
teaching the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, or other genocides in the classroom;
and
new text end

new text begin (9) at least one public middle or high school student with a demonstrated interest in
learning about the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, or other genocides.
new text end

new text begin (c) At the discretion of the commissioner and in consultation with the working group
cochairs, the working group may include additional experts in the fields of Holocaust and
genocide studies, genocide of Indigenous Peoples or other genocides, Minnesota history,
social studies education, English language arts education, and community members with a
particular interest in education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other
genocides.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Working group duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The working group must:
new text end

new text begin (1) advise the commissioner during the development of the social studies glossary
regarding the definitions of "Holocaust," "genocide," and "incidents of mass violence";
new text end

new text begin (2) identify professional learning opportunities for teachers and public school district
staff, including opportunities for continuing education to facilitate implementation of
education requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.25;
new text end

new text begin (3) identify training materials, strategies, skills, content, and resources for teachers and
public school district staff to successfully implement the education requirements under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.25;
new text end

new text begin (4) develop model lesson plans that teachers and public school district staff may use to
successfully implement the education requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section
120B.25;
new text end

new text begin (5) create a work plan that outlines the timeline to fulfill its duties under this subdivision;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide to the commissioner of education a list of recommended professional learning
opportunities, resources, strategies, skills, content, model lesson plans, and other materials
developed under this subdivision by May 1, 2025;
new text end

new text begin (7) coordinate with the commissioner to update the material and resources. The
commissioner must make all reasonable efforts to make the recommended materials publicly
available on the department's website by September 1, 2025, and in coordination with the
working group, must update the materials and resources; and
new text end

new text begin (8) by November 15, 2025, submit to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
committees of the senate and the house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over
kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance a report containing a list of
resources and materials provided to the commissioner of education for the commissioner
to make available to public school districts implementing requirements for education on
the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides.
new text end

new text begin (b) The working group may:
new text end

new text begin (1) conduct a survey of the current state of education on the Holocaust, genocide of
Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides in Minnesota public school districts with a focus
on teacher preparedness, access and utilization of resources, and additional surveys of the
state of education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides
following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year;
new text end

new text begin (2) carry out any other tasks that it considers pertinent to support the ability of teachers
and public school district staff to facilitate the successful implementation of education
requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.25; and
new text end

new text begin (3) apply for and accept grants and receive gifts, donations, and other financial support
from private sources for the purposes of carrying out its work under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Working group meetings and compensation. new text end

new text begin (a) The working group must
convene on at least a bimonthly basis and must hold the first meeting no later than September
1, 2024.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members of the working group shall receive a stipend of $500 per month for their
time, work, and expertise.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must provide meeting space and technical
assistance for the working group.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires November 15, 2025, or the date upon which
the working group report required under subdivision 2 is submitted to the legislature,
whichever is later.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Working Group on Education on the Holocaust, Genocide of Indigenous
Peoples, and Other Genocides. new text end

new text begin For the Working Group on Education on the Holocaust,
Genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and Other Genocides under section 2:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2024 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Implementation of education on the Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous
Peoples, and other genocides. new text end

new text begin For implementation of requirements for education on the
Holocaust, genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120B.25:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2024 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin ....... new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin The base for fiscal year 2026 is $........
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Professional learning grants for education on the Holocaust, genocide of
Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to fund professional learning
opportunities and resources for educators and public school district staff to facilitate the
successful implementation of education requirements for education on the Holocaust,
genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other genocides under Minnesota Statutes, section
120B.25:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 75,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2024 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 75,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end

new text begin (b) The grants must be awarded by the commissioner for professional learning
opportunities and resources recommended by the Working Group on Education on the
Holocaust, Genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and Other Genocides established under section
2.
new text end

new text begin (c) The base for fiscal year 2026 is $75,000.
new text end