HF 1204

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/04/2019 04:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring compliance with school sexual harassment and sex
discrimination laws; requiring training; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.

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

Section 1.

[121A.032] SCHOOL SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEX
DISCRIMINATION POLICY COMPLIANCE.

Subdivision 1.

Duties.

To support school compliance with state and federal sexual
harassment and sex discrimination laws, the Department of Education must:

(1) provide leadership, consultation, and technical assistance to districts on the
responsibilities of district Title IX coordinators;

(2) collaborate with state experts on sexual violence, including the Minnesota Department
of Health Sexual Violence Prevention Unit and Minnesota Department of Human Rights,
to establish model protocols, material development, and training to district-designated Title
IX coordinators as appropriate;

(3) disseminate guidance from the federal government on Title IX, including school-based
sexual harassment and sexual violence;

(4) collect and maintain an updated statewide list of Title IX coordinators for all public
school districts;

(5) serve as the state lead on Title IX for schools, parents, students, and community
organizations; and

(6) upon request from a school district, provide specific training to public schools on
preventing and responding to sexual violence, conducting trauma-informed investigations,
and provide redress for victims, including but not limited to accommodations during the
investigation as requested.

Subd. 2.

Training.

The Department of Education must provide training to Title IX
coordinators on state and federal sexual harassment and sex discrimination laws every other
year. The training must include responding to allegations, conducting investigations, and
reviewing and implementing prevention policies focused on changing culture.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Subdivision 1.

Department of Education.

The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for the fiscal years
designated.

Subd. 2.

School sexual harassment and sex discrimination policy compliance.

For
costs related to sexual harassment and sex discrimination training and compliance under
Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.032:

	$	.......	.....	2020
	$	.......	.....	2021

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.