HF 2802

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/16/2016 01:22pm

A bill for an act
relating to human rights; clarifying and adding prohibitions on banking
discrimination; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 363A.03, by adding
a subdivision; 363A.16, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 363A.03, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 18a. new text end

new text begin Financial institution. new text end

new text begin "Financial institution" means a bank, bank and
trust, savings bank, savings association, industrial loan and thrift company, trust company,
credit union, or a regulated lender under chapter 56, located in the state.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 363A.16, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Financial services. new text end

new text begin It is an unfair discriminatory practice for a financial
institution to refuse services to a customer because of the customer's race, color, creed,
religion, disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or sex. Refusing
services includes, but is not limited to, refusing to allow a customer to open a savings
or checking account or closing an existing account. A customer who has been denied
financial services may, within 30 days of the denial, request in writing that the financial
institution provide the reason for the refusal of services to the customer. The financial
institution must provide the truthful reason for the refusal of services in writing to the
customer within ten working days following receipt of the request, and must specify the
state or federal law that required the refusal of service if a state or federal law was the
basis of the determination to deny services to the customer. A financial institution does
not have to provide the reason for the refusal of services to the customer if the financial
institution is prohibited from doing so by any state or federal law.
new text end