1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to state government; designating Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and
1.3 Defamation Awareness Day; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
1.4 chapter 10.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [10.54] ANTI-BULLYING, ANTI-HARASSMENT, AND DEFAMATION
1.7 AWARENESS DAY.
1.8 Subdivision 1.Designation. (a) February 13 of each year is designated as Minnesota
1.9 Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Defamation Awareness Day. The state recognizes
1.10 that bullying, harassment, and defamation negatively affect the safety, well-being, learning,
1.11 productivity, and health of students, employees, and community members.
1.12 (b) Schools, employers, state agencies, and community organizations are encouraged to
1.13 observe this day with educational programs, employee training, student assemblies, respectful
1.14 behavior campaigns, prevention tools, and supportive services addressing bullying,
1.15 harassment, and reputational harm caused by false statements.
1.16 (c) The state declares that in order to educate the public, the governor may promote and
1.17 encourage the observance of Anti-Bullying, Anti-Harassment, and Defamation Awareness
1.18 Day.
1.19 Subd. 2.Definitions. For purposes of this section and in recognition of this awareness
1.20 day, the following terms have the meaning given:
2.1 (1) "bullying" means repeated aggressive behavior or unwanted conduct that involves
2.2 an imbalance of power and creates a hostile, intimidating, or abusive environment, including
2.3 electronic bullying or cyberbullying;
2.4 (2) "harassment" means unwelcome behavior based on an individual's actual or perceived
2.5 traits or characteristics that interferes with a person's ability to participate fully in school or
2.6 work environments; and
2.7 (3) "defamation" means false statements of fact communicated to others that cause harm
2.8 to an individual's reputation.
2.9 Subd. 3.Limitation. Nothing in this section creates a new cause of action, expands
2.10 liability, or alters existing legal standards or definitions related to defamation or free speech.
