Minnesota Session Laws - 2024, Regular Session

CHAPTER 105--H.F.No. 4109

An act

relating to human rights; providing for certain human rights law; providing for civil penalties and other remedies;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 363A.03, subdivisions 12, 13, 18, 29; 363A.06, subdivision 4; 363A.07, subdivision 4; 363A.19; 363A.20, subdivision 2; 363A.26; 363A.28, subdivision 5; 363A.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 363A.33, subdivisions 1, 6, by adding subdivisions; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 363A.02, subdivision 1; 363A.04; 363A.16, subdivision 1; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 363A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Freedom from discrimination.

(a) It is the public policy of this state to secure for persons in this state, freedom from discrimination:

(1) in employment because of new text begin one or more of the following: new text end race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, familial status, and age;

(2) in housing and real property because of new text begin one or more of the following: new text end race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, and familial status;

(3) in public accommodations because of new text begin one or more of the following: new text end race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability;

(4) in public services because of new text begin one or more of the following: new text end race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, and status with regard to public assistance; and

(5) in education because of new text begin one or more of the following: new text end race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, and age.

(b) Such discrimination threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of this state and menaces the institutions and foundations of democracy. It is also the public policy of this state to protect all persons from wholly unfounded charges of discrimination. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as restricting the implementation of positive action programs to combat discrimination.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Disability.

"Disability" means any condition or characteristic that renders a person a disabled person. A disabled person is any person who (1) has a physical, sensory, or mental impairment which materially limits one or more major life activities; (2) has a record of such an impairment; deleted text begin or deleted text end (3) is regarded as having such an impairment new text begin ; or (4) has an impairment that is episodic or in remission and would materially limit a major life activity when active new text end .

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Discriminate.

The term "discriminate" includes segregate deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin , new text end separate deleted text begin and, for purposes of discrimination based on sex, it includes sexual deleted text end new text begin , or new text end harassment.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18.

Familial status.

"Familial status" means the condition of one or more minors deleted text begin being domiciled deleted text end new text begin having legal status or custody new text end with (1) deleted text begin their deleted text end new text begin the minor's new text end parent or parents or the minor's legal guardian new text begin or guardians new text end or (2) the designee of the parent or parents or guardian new text begin or guardians new text end with the written permission of the parent or parents or guardian new text begin or guardians new text end . new text begin Familial status also means residing with and caring for one or more individuals who lack the ability to meet essential requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care because the individual or individuals are unable to receive and evaluate information or make or communicate decisions. new text end The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of family status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who has not attained the age of majority.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

Subd. 29.

Party in interest.

"Party in interest" means the complainant, respondent, new text begin or new text end commissioner deleted text begin or board member deleted text end .

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 363A.04, is amended to read:

363A.04 CONSTRUCTION AND EXCLUSIVITY.

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of the civil rights law or of any other law of this state relating to discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, sexual orientation, or familial status; but, as to acts declared unfair by sections 363A.08 to 363A.19, and 363A.28, subdivision 10, the new text begin administrative new text end procedure herein provided shall, while pending, be exclusive. new text begin The rights and remedies herein provided are in addition to, and shall not preclude, those available at law or in equity. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Publication of case account.

The commissioner may publish an account of a case in which the complaint has been dismissed or the terms of settlement of a case that has been voluntarily deleted text begin adjusted deleted text end new text begin resolved with the Department of Human Rights new text end . deleted text begin Except as provided in other sections of this chapter, the commissioner shall not disclose any information concerning efforts in a particular case to eliminate an unfair discriminatory practice through education, conference, conciliation and persuasion. deleted text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Withdrawal from local commission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or ordinance to the contrary, a person who has filed a charge with a local commission may bring a civil action as provided in section 363A.34 at the following times:

(1) within deleted text begin 45 deleted text end new text begin 90 new text end days after receipt of notice that the local commission has determined that there is no probable cause to credit the allegations contained in the charge; receipt of notice is presumed to be five days from the date of service by mail of the written notice; or

(2) after 45 days from the filing of the charge if a hearing has not been held or if the local commission has not entered into a conciliation agreement to which the charging party is a signator. The charging party shall notify the local commission of an intention to bring a civil action, which shall be commenced within 90 days of giving the notice.

A charging party bringing a civil action shall mail by registered or certified mail a copy of the summons and complaint to the local commission and upon their receipt the local commission shall terminate all proceedings before the local commission relating to the charge. No charge shall be filed or reinstituted with the local commission after a civil action relating to the same unfair discriminatory practice has been brought unless the civil action has been dismissed without prejudice.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 363A.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Personal or commercial credit.

It is an unfair discriminatory practice to discriminate in the extension of personal or commercial credit to a person, or in the requirements for obtaining credit, because of race, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, new text begin familial status, new text end or marital status, or due to the receipt of federal, state, or local public assistance including medical assistance.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.19, is amended to read:

363A.19 DISCRIMINATION AGAINST deleted text begin BLIND, DEAF, OR OTHER deleted text end PERSONS WITH deleted text begin PHYSICAL OR SENSORY deleted text end DISABILITIES PROHIBITED.

(a) It is an unfair discriminatory practice for an owner, operator, or manager of a hotel, restaurant, public conveyance, or other public place to prohibit a deleted text begin blind or deaf person or a deleted text end person with a deleted text begin physical or sensory deleted text end disability from taking a service animal into the public place or conveyance to aid deleted text begin blind or deaf persons or deleted text end persons with deleted text begin physical or sensory deleted text end disabilities, and if the service animal is properly harnessed or leashed so that the deleted text begin blind or deaf person or a deleted text end person with a deleted text begin physical or sensory deleted text end disability may maintain control of the service animal.

(b) No person shall require a deleted text begin blind, physically disabled, or deaf deleted text end person new text begin with a disability new text end to make an extra payment or pay an additional charge when taking a service animal into any of the public places referred to in paragraph (a).

(c) For purposes of this section, "service animal" means a service animal as defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Religious or deleted text end Fraternal organization.

The provisions of section 363A.08 shall not apply to a deleted text begin religious or deleted text end fraternal corporation, association, or society, with respect to qualifications based on religion deleted text begin or sexual orientation deleted text end , when religion deleted text begin or sexual orientation shall be deleted text end new text begin is new text end a bona fide occupational qualification for employment.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.26, is amended to read:

363A.26 EXEMPTION BASED ON RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION.

Nothing in this chapter prohibits any religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, or any institution organized for educational purposes that is operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, new text begin consistent with the protections or privileges of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and article I, section 16, of the Minnesota Constitution, including ministerial exceptions provided therein, new text end from:

(1) limiting admission to or giving preference to persons of the same religion or denomination;

(2) deleted text begin in matters relating to sexual orientation, deleted text end taking any action with respect to education, employment, housing and real property, or use of facilities deleted text begin . This clause shall not apply to secular business activities engaged in by the religious association, religious corporation, or religious society, the conduct of which is unrelated to the religious and educational purposes for which it is organized deleted text end ; or

(3) taking any action with respect to the provision of goods, services, facilities, or accommodations directly related to the solemnization or celebration of a civil marriage that is in violation of its religious beliefs.

new text begin This section shall not apply to secular business activities engaged in by the religious association, religious corporation, religious society, or any institution organized for educational purposes that is operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, the conduct of which is unrelated to the religious and educational purposes for which it is organized. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.28, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Alternative dispute resolution.

new text begin Charging parties and respondents shall be offered and may request an opportunity to resolve a charge through mediation or another alternative dispute resolution process. Neutrals providing mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes for parties are bound by the Code of Ethics for Court-Annexed ADR Neutrals. new text end The running of the 12-month period during which the commissioner must make a determination of probable cause to credit allegations is suspended during a period of time specified by the commissioner during which the parties are involved in mediation or other alternative dispute resolution new text begin process new text end that has been sanctioned by the commissioner.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Conduct of hearings.

A deleted text begin complaint deleted text end new text begin determination new text end issued by the commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end be heard as a contested case, except that the report of the administrative law judge shall be binding on all parties to the proceeding and if appropriate shall be implemented by an order as provided for in subdivision 3. new text begin The party contesting the determination issued by the commissioner may file a request with the commissioner to appear at a hearing on the party's own behalf or through a private attorney. The commissioner shall forward the request for hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which shall promptly set the matter for hearing. new text end The hearing shall be conducted at a place designated by the commissioner, within the county where the unfair discriminatory practice occurred or where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.62, and is subject to appeal in accordance with sections 14.63 to 14.68.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Hearings 180 days after charge deleted text end new text begin Tolling during investigation new text end .

deleted text begin At any time after 180 days from the filing of a charge, if there has been neither a finding of probable cause nor of no probable cause, the charging party may file a request with the commissioner to appear at a hearing on the party's own behalf or through a private attorney. deleted text end new text begin The commissioner shall make a determination of probable cause or no probable cause within one year of the filing of a case in which the time has not been tolled. new text end The amount of time during which a case is involved in significant settlement negotiations, is being investigated by another enforcement agency under a work sharing agreement, or has been referred to mediation or to a local human rights commission for no fault grievance processing is deleted text begin not counted in computing the 180 days deleted text end new text begin tolled new text end . Tolling of the time during settlement negotiations requires written approval of the charging party or the party's attorney. deleted text begin The right of a charging party to file a request for hearing does not apply in cases that have been certified as complex by the commissioner within 60 days of the filing of the charge. A case may not be certified as complex unless it involves multiple parties or issues, presents complex issues of law or fact, or presents substantially new issues of law in the discrimination area. Within five days of certifying a case as complex, the commissioner shall give notice of the certification to the charging party and the respondent. The commissioner shall make a determination of probable cause or no probable cause within one year of the filing of a case in which the time has not been counted or a case certified as complex. Upon receipt of the request, the commissioner shall review the documents and information held in the department's files concerning the charge and shall release to the charging party and respondent all documents and information that are accessible to the charging party and respondent under chapter 13. The commissioner shall forward the request for hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which shall promptly set the matter for hearing. If the charging party prevails at this hearing, the administrative law judge may require the respondent to reimburse the charging party for reasonable attorney's fees. deleted text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Court actions, suits by private parties, intervention.

The commissioner or a person may bring a civil action seeking redress for an unfair discriminatory practice directly to district court. In addition, a person may bring a civil action:

(1) within deleted text begin 45 deleted text end new text begin 90 new text end days after receipt of notice that the commissioner has dismissed a charge because it is frivolous or without merit, because the charging party has failed to provide required information, because the commissioner has determined that further use of department resources is not warranted, or because the commissioner has determined that there is no probable cause to credit the allegations contained in a charge filed with the commissioner;

(2) within deleted text begin 45 deleted text end new text begin 90 new text end days after receipt of notice that the commissioner has reaffirmed a determination of no probable cause if the charging party requested a reconsideration of the no probable cause determination, or has decided not to reopen a dismissed case that the charging party has asked to be reopened; or

(3) after 45 days from the filing of a charge pursuant to section 363A.28, subdivision 1, if a hearing has not been held pursuant to section 363A.29 or if the commissioner has not entered into a conciliation agreement to which the charging party is a signator. The charging party shall notify the commissioner of an intention to bring a civil action, which shall be commenced within 90 days of giving the notice.

For purposes of clauses (1) and (2), receipt of notice is presumed to be five days from the date of service by mail of the written notice.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.33, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

District court jurisdiction.

Any action brought pursuant to this section shall be filed in the district court of the county wherein the unlawful discriminatory practice is alleged to have been committed or where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business.

A person bringing a civil action seeking redress for an unfair discriminatory practice or a respondent is entitled to a jury trial.

If the court or jury finds that the respondent has engaged in an unfair discriminatory practice, it shall issue an order or verdict directing appropriate relief as provided by new text begin this new text end section deleted text begin 363A.29, subdivisions 3 to 6 deleted text end .

When the court issues an order providing for payment to the state of a civil penalty pursuant to new text begin this new text end section deleted text begin 363A.29, subdivisions 3 to 6 deleted text end , it shall serve a copy of that order upon the attorney general at the same time as it makes service upon the parties.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Civil penalty; punitive damages. new text end

new text begin (a) The court shall order any respondent found to be in violation of any provision of sections 363A.08 to 363A.19 and 363A.28, subdivision 10, to pay a civil penalty to the state. This penalty is in addition to all damages recoverable at law and punitive damages to be paid to an aggrieved party. The court shall determine the amount of the civil penalty to be paid, taking into account the seriousness and extent of the violation, the public harm occasioned by the violation, whether the violation was intentional, and the financial resources of the respondent. Any penalties imposed under this provision shall be paid into the general fund of the state. In all cases where the court finds that the respondent has engaged in an unfair discriminatory practice, the court shall order the respondent to pay an aggrieved party who has suffered discrimination compensatory damages, including mental anguish or suffering, in an amount up to three times the actual damages sustained. In all cases, the court may also order the respondent to pay an aggrieved party punitive damages pursuant to section 549.20. In any case under this chapter that is decided by a jury, the jury shall determine the amount of all damages to be awarded. new text end

new text begin (b) In any case where a political subdivision is a respondent, the total of punitive damages awarded an aggrieved party may not exceed $25,000 and if there are two or more respondents the punitive damages may be apportioned among them. Punitive damages may only be assessed against a political subdivision in its capacity as a corporate entity and no regular or ex officio member of a governing body of a political subdivision shall be personally liable for payment of punitive damages pursuant to this section. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Other remedies. new text end

new text begin In addition to the remedies in subdivision 8, where a case involves discrimination in: new text end

new text begin (1) employment, the court may order: (i) the hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading of an aggrieved party who has suffered discrimination, with or without back pay; (ii) admission or restoration to membership in a labor organization; (iii) admission to or participation in an apprenticeship training program, on-the-job training program, or other retraining program; or (iv) any other relief the court deems just and equitable; or new text end

new text begin (2) housing, the court may order: (i) the sale, lease, or rental of the housing accommodation or other real property to an aggrieved party who has suffered discrimination; (ii) the sale, lease, or rental of a like accommodation or other real property owned by or under the control of the person against whom the complaint was filed, according to the terms as listed with a real estate broker, or if no such listing has been made, as advertised or offered by the vendor or lessor; or (iii) any other relief the court deems just and equitable. new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.03, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor May 14, 2024

Signed by the governor May 15, 2024, 9:50 a.m.