(a) The commissioner shall assure that textbooks and individualized instructional materials loaned to nonpublic school pupils are secular, neutral, nonideological and that they are incapable of diversion for religious use.
(b) Textbooks, individualized instructional materials, software or other educational technology must not be used in religious courses, devotional exercises, religious training or any other religious activity.
(c) Textbooks and individualized instructional materials must be loaned only to individual pupils upon the request of a parent or guardian or the pupil on a form designated for this use by the commissioner. The request forms shall provide for verification by the parent or guardian or pupil that the requested textbooks and individualized instructional materials are for the use of the individual pupil in connection with a program of instruction in the pupil's elementary or secondary school.
(d) The servicing school district or the intermediary service area must take adequate measures to ensure an accurate and periodic inventory of all textbooks, individualized instructional materials, software or other educational technology loaned to elementary and secondary school pupils attending nonpublic schools. The commissioner of education shall promulgate rules under the provisions of chapter 14 to terminate the eligibility of any nonpublic school pupil if the commissioner determines, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that the textbooks, individualized instructional materials, or software or other educational technology, have been used in a manner contrary to the provisions of section 123B.41, subdivision 5, 123B.42, or this section or any rules promulgated by the commissioner of education.
(e) Nothing contained in section 123B.41, subdivision 5, 123B.42, or this section shall be construed to authorize the making of any payments to a nonpublic school or its faculty, staff or administrators for religious worship or instruction or for any other purpose.
History:1980 c 609 art 4 s 5; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1990 c 562 art 7 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 30; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 20,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2003 c 130 s 12; 2012 c 144 s 4