MN HF3650

Public school districts are prohibited from discriminating against students or parents based on religious viewpoint or religious expression, and must treat religious viewpoints the same as secular viewpoints on permissible subjects.

Students may express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and classroom assignments without penalty or reward based on religious content, and assignments must be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance.

Students may pray, organize religious clubs and groups, and wear religious clothing and accessories before, during, and after school to the same extent as nonreligious activities, with equal access to school facilities.

School districts must adopt a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at school events using neutral selection criteria, with district disclaimers stating the school does not endorse student religious speech.

The Minnesota Department of Education must develop and maintain a state model policy on religious expression, review district compliance, investigate complaints, and allow students, parents, and educators to file noncompliance complaints with the commissioner; effective for the 2022-2023 school year and later.