1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; requiring school districts and charter schools to provide 
1.3 	climate justice instruction; requiring a report;proposing coding for new law in 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [120B.25] CLIMATE JUSTICE INSTRUCTION.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Model program. (a) "Climate justice" as used in this section means a 
1.8 	framework that puts people first and views the effects of climate change as interconnected 
1.9 	with forms of oppression connecting climate change to social and economic justice issues.
1.10 	(b) The commissioner of education must, in consultation with the commissioner of the 
1.11 	Pollution Control Agency, environmental organizations, teachers, and other qualified experts, 
1.12 	provide a climate justice model program for elementary and secondary school students 
1.13 	aligned with current scientific research. The model program must be consistent with state 
1.14 	academic standards under section 120B.021. The commissioner must, by July 1, 2024, and 
1.15 	July 1 of each odd-numbered year thereafter, provide school districts and charter schools 
1.16 	with access to the model program, including resources compiled by Minnesota environmental 
1.17 	advocates and proper training for instructors.
1.18 	(c) A model program must include climate justice content that: is scientifically accurate; 
1.19 	is age, disability, and developmentally accessible; is inclusive of underrepresented students; 
1.20 	encourages sharing and comprehension of climate justice stories; and is grounded in science 
1.21 	and intersectionality on:
1.22 	(1) human activities causing climate change and the risk to all life forms;
2.1 	(2) climate change's disproportionate effects on communities facing systemic oppression, 
2.2 	specifically Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color; people with disabilities; and 
2.3 	low-income communities globally;
2.4 	(3) the relationship between systemic change and accessible environmental stewardship; 
2.5 	and
2.6 	(4) the growing number of economic and environmental solutions, which should be led 
2.7 	by communities most impacted by the climate crisis.
2.8 		Subd. 2.School programs. (a) Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, a school district 
2.9 	or charter school must implement a climate justice education program for students in 
2.10 	elementary and secondary school, including students with disabilities and students enrolled 
2.11 	in a state-approved alternative program. The climate justice education program must include 
2.12 	instruction on the topics listed in subdivision 1.
2.13 	(b) A school district or charter school must report to the commissioner of education in 
2.14 	the form and manner determined by the commissioner information regarding its 
2.15 	implementation of a climate justice education program, including whether the district or 
2.16 	charter school implemented a model program.
2.17 		Subd. 3.Parental review. A school district or charter school must provide instruction 
2.18 	and curriculum under this section consistent with the parental curriculum review requirements 
2.19 	in section 120B.20.

2.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.21 	Sec. 2. CLIMATE JUSTICE EDUCATION REPORT.
 2.22 	(a) The commissioner of education must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
2.23 	members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 
2.24 	12 education on the climate justice education program required under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.25 	section 120B.25. The report must include:
2.26 	(1) a description of how the model climate justice education program or programs were 
2.27 	identified;
2.28 	(2) assistance provided to school districts and charter schools implementing a climate 
2.29 	justice education program; and
2.30 	(3) the number of school districts and charter schools that adopted the model program.
2.31 	(b) The commissioner must submit the report no later than January 31, 2026, and must 
2.32 	submit the report in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.

3.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2023.