Purpose of the Bill

The bill, known as the Intellectual Freedom Protection Act, aims to regulate public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota. Its primary goal is to protect individuals from being required to support or oppose any political ideology in order to gain admission, employment, or promotion within these institutions.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition on Pledges: Public postsecondary institutions cannot require students or faculty to pledge allegiance to or express support/opposition to any political or social ideologies, including those related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or patriotism.
• Neutrality in Admissions and Employment: Institutions cannot make decisions on admission or employment based on applicants’ or faculty members’ expressions of personal political beliefs or statements.
• Public Access to Training Materials: Institutions must publicly share all materials related to training in nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, and similar topics on their websites.
• Right to Legal Action: Individuals who feel their rights under this Act have been violated can file a lawsuit against the institution. Successful cases may result in remedies and coverage of legal fees.
• Attorney General Enforcement: The Minnesota Attorney General can also file lawsuits to stop policies or practices that violate this Act, with the possibility of imposing civil penalties.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces provisions specifically protecting individuals at public postsecondary institutions from being required to make political statements, directly impacting how these institutions manage admissions and employment processes.

Relevant Terms

intellectual freedom, public postsecondary institutions, diversity, equity, inclusion, political ideology, admissions, employment, legal action, Attorney General, civil penalties, training materials, nondiscrimination