Purpose

To add a new fundamental right to the Minnesota Constitution that protects a parent’s ability to direct their child’s education. The amendment would affirm that parents have the liberty to choose, as alternatives to public education, private religious or home schooling, and to make reasonable choices within a public school for their child. The state would be prohibited from infringing these rights.

Main provisions

• Adds a new Sec. 18 to Article I of the Minnesota Constitution.
• Declares that “the liberty of a parent to direct the education of their child is fundamental.”
• Includes the right to choose as an alternative to public education a private religious or home school.
• Includes the right to make reasonable choices within a public school for their child.
• Stipulates that the state must not infringe these rights.

Significant changes to existing law

• Codifies parental rights in education as a constitutional protection (instead of relying only on statutes or administrative policies).
• Establishes a constitutional standard that may limit state and public school authority over parental decisions related to education.
• Potentially affects how schools, districts, and policymakers balance parental input, school curricula, and enrollment options.

Submission to voters

• The amendment would be submitted to Minnesota voters at the 2026 general election.
• Ballot language would ask whether the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to provide that the liberty of a parent to direct the education of their child is fundamental, including the right to choose a private religious or home school and the right to make reasonable choices within a public school, with the state not infringing these rights.

Note on phrasing used in the bill

• Key phrases include: “the liberty of a parent to direct the education of their child is fundamental,” “includes the right to choose as an alternative to public education a private religious or home school,” “the right to make reasonable choices within a public school for their child,” and “the state must not infringe these rights.”

Relevant Terms - parent rights in education - fundamental right - private religious school - home school - public school - Minnesota Constitution - Article I - Sec. 18 - constitutional amendment - state must not infringe - education choice - 2026 general election - submission to voters - ballot question