new text begin [121A.80] STUDENT JOURNALISM; STUDENT EXPRESSION.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "School-sponsored media" means material that is:
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new text begin (1) prepared, wholly or substantially written, published, broadcast, or otherwise
disseminated by a student journalist enrolled in a school district or charter school;
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new text begin (2) distributed or generally made available to students in the school; and
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new text begin (3) prepared by a student journalist under the supervision of a student media adviser.
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new text begin School-sponsored media does not include material prepared solely for distribution or
transmission in the classroom in which the material is produced.
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new text begin (c) "School official" means a school principal under section 123B.147 or other person
having administrative control or supervision of a school.
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new text begin (d) "Student journalist" means a school district or charter school student in grades 6
through 12 who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or otherwise prepares
information for dissemination in school-sponsored media.
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new text begin (e) "Student media adviser" means a qualified teacher, as defined in section 122A.16,
that a school district or charter school employs, appoints, or designates to supervise student
journalists or provide instruction relating to school-sponsored media.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Student journalists; protected conduct. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in subdivision
3, a student journalist has the right to exercise freedom of speech and freedom of the press
in school-sponsored media regardless of whether the school-sponsored media receives
financial support from the school or district, uses school equipment or facilities in its
production, or is produced as part of a class or course in which the student journalist is
enrolled. Freedom of speech includes freedom to express political viewpoints. Consistent
with subdivision 3, a student journalist has the right to determine the news, opinion, feature,
and advertising content of school-sponsored media. A school district or charter school must
not discipline a student journalist for exercising rights or freedoms under this paragraph or
the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
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new text begin (b) A school district or charter school must not retaliate or take adverse employment
action against a student media adviser for supporting a student journalist exercising rights
or freedoms under paragraph (a) or the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
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new text begin (c) Notwithstanding the rights or freedoms of this subdivision or the First Amendment
of the United States Constitution, nothing in this section inhibits a student media adviser
from teaching professional standards of English and journalism to student journalists.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Unprotected expression. new text end

new text begin (a) This section does not authorize or protect student
expression that:
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new text begin (1) is defamatory;
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new text begin (2) is profane, harassing, threatening, or intimidating;
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new text begin (3) constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
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new text begin (4) violates federal or state law;
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new text begin (5) causes a material and substantial disruption of school activities; or
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new text begin (6) is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action on school premises or
the violation of lawful school policies or rules, including a policy adopted in accordance
with section 121A.03 or 121A.031.
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new text begin (b) A school or district must not authorize any prior restraint of school-sponsored media
except under paragraph (a).
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Student journalist policy. new text end

new text begin School districts and charter schools must adopt and
post a student journalist policy consistent with this section.
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