1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; providing for a civic seal designation for high school students;
1.3 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. [120B.112] MINNESOTA CIVIC SEAL DESIGNATION.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Establishment.(a) A Minnesota Civic Seal designation is established
1.7for high school students who have demonstrated excellence in civics education and
1.8engagement. The purpose of this designation is to encourage civic learning, promote active
1.9participation in democratic institutions, and recognize students who have achieved a high
1.10level of civic knowledge, skills, and community involvement.
1.11 (b) A student must meet the following minimum criteria to be awarded the Minnesota
1.12Civic Seal:
1.13 (1) successfully complete coursework in civics, government, or a related subject that
1.14meets or exceeds the state's academic standards for civic education;
1.15 (2) participate in a civics-related project-based assessment that demonstrates an
1.16understanding of civic engagement, public policy, or government operations, and complete
1.17a self-reflection evaluating the learning experience, impact, and personal growth gained
1.18from the project;
1.19 (3) engage in at least one civic activity outside the classroom, such as voting in a student
1.20election, attending a public meeting, participating in a community service project,
1.21participating in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or engaging in a policy advocacy
1.22initiative;
1Section 1.
S2565-1 1st EngrossmentSF2565 REVISOR CR
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 2565NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: CWODZINSKI, Kunesh and Housley)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading77303/13/2025
Referred to Education Policy
Author added Kunesh87503/17/2025
Author added Housley102903/24/2025
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Education Finance03/27/2025 2.1 (4) demonstrate civic dispositions such as civil discourse, respect for diverse perspectives,
2.2and a commitment to democratic principles; and
2.3 (5) meet any additional criteria established by the department, ensuring that all students,
2.4regardless of background, have equitable access to earning the civic seal.
2.5 (c) The department-developed criteria under paragraph (b), clause (5), must be broad
2.6enough to allow any student in any region or community of the state to earn the seal without
2.7having to spend personal resources to access the criteria or activity. No specific out-of-school
2.8or partisan civic program or provider shall be named or required as criteria. A school district
2.9or individual school must not be obligated to participate in the civic seal program.
2.10 Subd. 2.Criteria development.(a) The commissioner must work with the Minnesota
2.11Civic Education Coalition to convene a working group to establish specific criteria and
2.12guidelines for awarding the Minnesota Civic Seal. The working group membership must
2.13include civic educators, professional development providers, at least one high school student,
2.14and other civic engagement experts.
2.15 (b) The commissioner must review and approve the criteria and guidelines by July 31,
2.162026. The criteria and guidelines must be broad enough to allow a student from any region
2.17or background to earn the civic seal without requiring any personal financial expenditure
2.18or participation in a specific out-of-school program.
2.19 Subd. 3.School district or charter school participation.(a) Participation in the
2.20Minnesota Civic Seal program is voluntary for school districts and charter schools. A school
2.21district or charter school that opts into the program must:
2.22 (1) provide information to all secondary students regarding the opportunity to earn the
2.23civic seal and the criteria for being awarded the recognition;
2.24 (2) maintain appropriate records to identify students who have earned the civic seal; and
2.25 (3) affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma of each student who earns the civic seal
2.26and record the designation on their official transcript.
2.27 (b) A district or charter school must not charge a fee to a student or the student's family
2.28for participation in earning the civic seal.
2.29 (c) A school district or charter school must submit an application for approval to the
2.30commissioner to participate. The application must include a narrative that describes the
2.31district or charter school's program implementation plan.
2Section 1.
S2565-1 1st EngrossmentSF2565 REVISOR CR 3.1 Subd. 4.Insignia and recognition.(a) The Department of Education must develop and
3.2distribute an official insignia to be affixed to the diplomas of students who earn the Minnesota
3.3Civic Seal.
3.4 (b) The department may also provide additional materials to schools to recognize and
3.5celebrate students who achieve the civic seal designation.
3.6 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2026-2027 academic school year
3.7and applies to students graduating in 2027 and later.
3Section 1.
S2565-1 1st EngrossmentSF2565 REVISOR CR