Minnesota's Current Sex Education Policy
Sex education policy can exist as state or federal law, educational standards, or locally defined norms and practices. We present Minnesota's existing policy (and recent changes) to establish a shared knowledge of these policies and how they may affect Minnesota students.
Minnesota's Current State Statute
Minnesota statute 121A.23 (left) details the expectations of sex education in state law. The statute defines a few requirements:
-
School districts must provide education on sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
-
The programming must be technically accurate, updated, and help students abstain from sexual activity until marriage.
-
There must be collaboration and participation from many interested parties in forming these programs.
What is rulemaking?
Lawmaking and rulemaking are both processes the government uses to establish policies. While lawmaking requires elected officials to introduce, hear, and vote on legislation, rulemaking takes place in the executive branch or amongst government agencies. Rulemaking does not require elected officials to establish each part of the policy. Instead lawmakers pass a statute requiring an agency to establish rules for a certain policy issue.
​
Both rulemaking a lawmaking can establish policy standards that schools must meet, and both methods of policymaking can come with varying degrees of school support, funding, and ongoing tracking of implementation progress.
​
Why rulemaking in Minnesota?
Health was one of few school subjects required in Minnesota without statewide standards - this process establishes ongoing (every 10 years) updating of health education standards. Statewide health standards can help ensure students get quality and equitable education regardless of where they live in the state.
Health Standards Rulemaking Process
During the 2024 legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation (SF 3746 and HF 3682) requiring statewide health standards be developed and implemented by the 2026-2027 school year, though the implementation timeline in practice is expected to take place closer to the 2031-2032 academic year.
The Minnesota Department of Education is in the process of building this health education standards rulemaking committee and will be gathering community feedback as they establish these health education standards.
Want to make your voice heard and receive updates on Minnesota's evolving sex education policy landscape?
Wonder how Minnesota's sex education fares compared to other states?
Check out SIECUS's state profiles to see Minnesota's grade and sex education policy highlights from around the U.S.
