Bill > SF89

This bill repeals Minnesota's existing law that prohibits public schools from using American Indian mascots, symbols, or names. The repeal would eliminate the current requirements that schools remove American Indian-related mascots, logos, and team names by September 1, 2026, unless they obtain a specific exemption from the 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations in Minnesota. Under the current law, schools were required to report their progress in removing such mascots, including confirming website updates, board approval of new mascots, and progress on removing references from uniforms and facilities. The bill effectively cancels these existing mandates and would allow schools to potentially revert to or continue using American Indian-themed mascots. The repeal would become effective for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, giving schools flexibility in their mascot choices that were previously restricted by the prohibition. The bill does not provide extensive rationale for the repeal, but essentially removes the state-level restrictions on the use of American Indian imagery in school branding and representation.

Education

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0089&ssn=0&y=2025