SF 1534

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/28/2017 09:46am

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, 2018.
new text end