1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to state government; requiring plain language in written materials for
1.3 state-issued professional licensing; requiring a report; proposing coding for new
1.4 law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [15.996] PLAIN LANGUAGE IN LICENSE WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS.
1.7 Subdivision 1.Definitions.For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have
1.8the meanings given:
1.9 (1) "plain language standards" means the requirements specified in subdivision 2,
1.10paragraph (a), and the requirements of the Plain Writing Act, Public Law 111-274, and
1.11governor's Executive Order 14-07; and
1.12 (2) "written examination" means the written portion of an examination in English for a
1.13license issued by the state.
1.14 Subd. 2.Plain language.(a) By February 1, 2026, each commissioner must implement
1.15plain language standards for the written portion of a knowledge examination to ensure the
1.16written examination is a fair assessment of the license applicant's knowledge of relevant
1.17subject matter. The new written portion of the knowledge examination, to the extent
1.18practicable, must be organized to serve the reader's needs and written using clear, simplified
1.19language with the following grammatical standards:
1.20 (1) "you" and other pronouns address the test-taker directly;
1.21 (2) utilize the active voice;
1.22 (3) use short, simple sentences and straightforward questions;
1Section 1.
25-02528 as introduced01/29/25 REVISOR SGS/MI
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 1258NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: HOWE and Oumou Verbeten)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading02/13/2025
Referred to State and Local Government 2.1 (4) avoid complex and compound sentence structures;
2.2 (5) utilize commonly used and familiar words;
2.3 (6) avoid turning verbs into nouns through nominalization;
2.4 (7) minimize the use of abbreviations;
2.5 (8) place words carefully to avoid large gaps between the subject, verb, and object in a
2.6sentence;
2.7 (9) avoid confusing terms such as "either, or" and "neither, nor";
2.8 (10) utilize simple verb tenses, including the simple present verb tense where practicable,
2.9to explain confusing or complex concepts;
2.10 (11) omit double negatives and terms like "except for," "unless," and "indicated
2.11otherwise";
2.12 (12) avoid hidden terms and use concrete, familiar words to describe confusing or
2.13complex concepts or items;
2.14 (13) omit excess and unnecessary words;
2.15 (14) use the word "must" to express requirements;
2.16 (15) put exceptions at the end of a question;
2.17 (16) place modifying terms in correct locations; and
2.18 (17) any other recommended strategies and techniques designed to offer clear
2.19communication to test-takers.
2.20 (b) Revisions made to the written examination must meet the plain language standards
2.21of this section.
2.22 (c) A written examination must be reviewed for compliance with the plain language
2.23standards and approved by the revisor of statutes before implementation.
2.24 Sec. 2. REPORT; PLAIN LANGUAGE IMPLEMENTATION FOR LICENSING.
2.25 By February 1, 2027, each commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority
2.26members of the committees in the house of representatives and the senate with primary
2.27jurisdiction for state government on the implementation of the plain language requirements
2.28in Minnesota Statutes, section 15.996, for each license type issued by the commissioner.
2Sec. 2.
25-02528 as introduced01/29/25 REVISOR SGS/MI