Subdivision 1. Membership regulated. It is unlawful for any pupil, registered and attending any public school to join, become a member of, or to solicit any other pupil of any public school to join, or become a member of, any secret fraternity or society wholly or partially formed from the membership of pupils attending any public schools or to take part in the organization or formation of any fraternity or society, except societies or associations sanctioned by the district school board.

Subd. 2. Penalties. A school board may suspend or dismiss any pupil from school, or prevent the pupil from graduating or participating in school honors when, after investigation, in the judgment of the board or a majority of its membership, the pupil is guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section or is guilty of violating any rule or regulation adopted by the board for the purpose of governing its schools, or enforcing this section.

Subd. 3. "Rushing" or soliciting forbidden. It is a misdemeanor for any person, not a pupil of the schools, to be upon school grounds, or to enter any school building, for the purpose of "rushing" or soliciting any pupil of the schools to join any fraternity, society, or association organized outside of the schools. The district court has jurisdiction of offenses committed under this subdivision. All persons found guilty shall be fined not less than $2, nor more than $10, to be paid to the county treasurer or, upon failure to pay the fine, to be imprisoned for not more than ten days.

History: Ex1959 c 71 art 8 s 17; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1973 c 349 s 2; 1983 c 359 s 8; 1987 c 258 s 12; 1989 c 246 s 2; 1998 c 254 art 2 s 8; 1998 c 397 art 9 s 10-12,26; art 11 s 3