HF3538

Purpose

• To change what is taught in public schools by restricting certain discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation for younger students, and by directing investment toward a new grant program and related reporting requirements. The bill would also adjust Minnesota law to reflect these changes.

Main provisions

• Prohibition of classroom discussions: Classroom instruction or discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through grade 8 is not allowed in public schools.
• Guidelines for schools: The education commissioner must provide schools with guidelines to implement and enforce the prohibition.
• Parental notification: The bill would require parental notification related to the topics addressed by the prohibition (specific details are not provided in the excerpt).
• Grant program for physical education: Establishes a grant program to incorporate firearms safety, trap shooting, archery, hunting, and angling into school physical education courses.
• Reporting and funding: Requires a report to be produced and appropriates money to support these provisions.
• Statutory changes: Proposes coding these provisions into Minnesota Statutes, specifically chapters 120B and 121A.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a clear prohibition on discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with K-8 students in public schools.
• Creates a new framework for school guidance and enforcement of this prohibition.
• Introduces a new grant program aimed at expanding outdoor and firearms-related activities in PE classes.
• Requires state reporting and allocates funding to support these changes.
• Updates the statutory structure to reflect the changes in chapters 120B and 121A.

Implementation and enforcement

• The commissioner of education is responsible for issuing guidelines to help schools implement and enforce the new prohibition.

Fiscal and administrative notes

• The bill includes a funding element (appropriations) tied to the new grant program and related activities, plus a required report to track progress and outcomes.

Potential effects and considerations

• Schools would need to adjust lesson planning and staff training to avoid prohibited topics with K-8 students.
• Parental involvement requirements could increase, depending on how notification is implemented.
• The grant program would shift some PE offerings toward outdoor and firearms-related activities, with safety and program oversight implications.

Relevant Terms - classroom instruction - sexual orientation - gender identity - public schools - kindergarten through grade 8 (K-8) - guidelines - commissioner - parental notification - grant program - firearms safety - trap shooting - archery - hunting - angling - Minnesota Statutes - chapters 120B and 121A - report - appropriation