Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 735 - Codifying the Teacher Code of Ethics
 
Author: Senator Carla J. Nelson
 
Prepared By: Ann Marie Lewis, Senate Counsel (651/296-5301)
 
Date: March 22, 2019



 

Section 1. Code of Ethics.

Subdivision 1. Scope. Establishes that a teacher assumes an obligation to adhere to the principles that define professional conduct. The principals are reflected in the code of ethics. The code of ethics applies to all people licensed according to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board’s rules.

Subd. 2. Standards of professional conduct. (a) Requires a teacher to provide professional educational services in a nondiscriminatory manner, including not discriminating on the basis of political, ideological, or religious beliefs.

(b) Requires a teacher to make a reasonable effort to protect students from harmful conditions.

(c) Requires a teacher to disclose confidential information about an individual only when a compelling professional purpose is served or required by law.

(d) Requires a teacher to take reasonable disciplinary action in exercising the authority to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.

(e) Prohibits a teacher from using professional relationships to personal advantage.

(f) Limits a teacher’s ability to delegate authority for teaching responsibilities to licensed personnel or as otherwise provided by law.

(g) Prohibits a teacher from deliberately suppressing or distorting subject matter.

(h) Prohibits a teacher from falsifying or misrepresenting records or facts relating to their or another teacher’s qualifications.

(i) Prohibits a teacher from making false or malicious statements about students or colleagues.

(j) Allows a teacher to only accept a teaching contract for a position for which they are properly or provisionally licensed.

(k) Prohibits a teacher from engaging in sexual contact with a student.

Effective Date.  Makes the section effective immediately.

Section 2Advise members of the profession. Directs the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to develop a process for a school district to receive written complaints about a teacher under the code of ethics and to forward the complaint to the board.

Effective Date. Makes the section effective immediately.

Section 3. Repealer. (a) repeals section 122A.09, subdivision 1 (Code of ethics).

(b) Repeals Minnesota rules, part 8710.2100, subparts 1 and 2 (code of ethics for Minnesota teachers).

AMB/syl

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 03/22/2019
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn