Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to create the Intellectual Freedom Protection Act, which aims to regulate public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota to ensure that they do not impose ideological requirements on students or faculty as a condition for admission, hiring, reappointment, or promotion.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition of Ideological Pledges: Public colleges and universities cannot require students or faculty to pledge allegiance to or express views on political ideologies, including diversity, equity, inclusion, or patriotism, as a condition of admission, employment, or promotion.
• Protection Against Discrimination Based on Ideological Statements: Institutions may not base decisions about admission or employment on any ideological statement provided by applicants or faculty.
• Transparency Requirements: All training materials related to nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, and inclusion must be publicly accessible on the institutions' websites.
• Right to Legal Action: Individuals who feel their rights under this act have been violated can bring legal action for declaratory or injunctive relief and seek damages. Successful plaintiffs can receive compensation for court costs and attorney fees.
• Role of the Attorney General: The attorney general is empowered to sue institutions that violate these prohibitions. Courts may also impose a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per violation.
• Disciplinary Actions: If a court or the institution itself finds a violation, the institution may discipline responsible employees according to its policies and procedures.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces new requirements and prohibitions specifically targeting how political or ideological expressions are handled by public postsecondary institutions.
• It establishes a new legal framework within which individuals can seek remedies if they feel their rights under this provision have been infringed.

Relevant Terms

• Intellectual Freedom Protection Act
• Public postsecondary institution
• Political ideology
• Diversity, equity, inclusion
• Legal action against institutions
• Attorney General's enforcement
• Transparency and nondiscrimination training materials