This legislative bill, SF No 12, mandates that all school districts and charter schools in Minnesota must provide climate justice education to their students. The bill defines climate justice as an approach that integrates the social and economic aspects of climate change, acknowledging how it disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities. The bill stipulates that the education curriculum must be rooted in current scientific understanding and relate to state academic standards.

The Minnesota Department of Education, in collaboration with environmental experts and advocates, is required to develop a model program for climate justice education by July 1, 2026, and update it every two years thereafter. This program should be comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible to students of all abilities, promoting an understanding of:

1. Human contributions to climate change and the risks it poses to life.
2. The greater impact of climate change on marginalized groups, including people of color, people with disabilities, and low-income communities globally.
3. The role of systematic change in promoting environmental stewardship and economic possibilities.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, every school must implement this climate justice education program. Schools are also required to report on their implementation of the program to the state education commissioner as directed.

Additionally, the bill ensures that these educational programs consider parental input regarding curriculum content, aligning with existing laws about parental reviews of educational materials.