Bill > HF23

This bill, known as the Student Religious Liberties Act, aims to protect the religious expression and rights of students in public schools. The key provisions include: 1. Prohibiting discrimination against students or parents based on their religious viewpoints or expressions, and requiring schools to treat students' voluntary expression of religious views on permissible subjects the same as their expression of secular views. 2. Allowing students to freely express their religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and other assignments, as long as they meet the academic standards, without being penalized or rewarded based on the religious content. 3. Giving students the freedom to organize and participate in religious activities and groups, such as prayer groups and religious clubs, to the same extent as non-religious student activities, and allowing them to wear clothing or accessories that display religious messages or symbols. 4. Requiring school districts to adopt a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at school events, which ensures that student expression of religious viewpoints is not discriminated against, and includes a disclaimer that the school district does not endorse the student's speech. 5. Directing the Commissioner of Education to develop a state model policy to assist school districts in implementing the provisions of the bill. The bill also includes clarifications on the statutory construction, ensuring that it does not require anyone to participate in religious activities or violate constitutional rights, and that schools can still maintain order, protect safety, and enforce speech policies that do not violate students' rights.

Education

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0023&ssn=0&y=2017