MN HF1501

Creates new law (121A.80) guaranteeing student journalists in grades 7-12 the right to freedom of speech and press in school-sponsored media, regardless of school financial support or equipment use.

Establishes that student journalists have the right to determine news, opinion, feature, and advertising content of school-sponsored media, while allowing advisers to teach professional journalism standards.

Prohibits prior restraint of school-sponsored media except for expression that is libelous, slanderous, invades privacy, violates law, or creates clear and present danger of unlawful acts or material disruption of school activities.

Requires each school district and charter school to adopt and post a student journalist policy with reasonable provisions for time, place, and manner of student expression; allows schools to limit profane, harassing, threatening, or intimidating expression.

Creates parallel protections (135A.159) for student journalists at postsecondary institutions under the state board of higher education, with similar rights and limitations; effective for 2016-2017 school year and later.