1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to civil actions; modifying certain protections related to public 
1.3 	participation in government; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 
1.4 	554.01, subdivision 6; 554.05; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes, chapter 554; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 604A.34.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 554.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 6.Public participation. "Public participation" means speech or lawful 
1.9 	conduct that is genuinely aimed in whole or in part at procuring favorable government 
1.10 	action., including but not limited to:
1.11 	(1) seeking assistance from, or reporting suspected unlawful conduct to, law 
1.12 	enforcement;
1.13 	(2) speaking before a zoning board regarding a real estate development project;
1.14 	(3) communicating with an elected official concerning a change in law;
1.15 	(4) demonstrating peacefully for or against a government action; and
1.16 	(5) filing a complaint with a government entity regarding safety, sexual harassment, 
1.17 	civil rights, or equal employment rights.

1.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 554.05, is amended to read:
1.19 	554.05 RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER LAW.
1.20 	Nothing in this chapter limits or precludes any rights the moving party or responding 
1.21 	party may have under any other constitutional, statutory, case, or common law, or rule. 
1.22 	Nothing in this chapter exempts individuals from their professional obligations of 
1.23 	confidentiality.

2.1 	Sec. 3. [554.06] RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
2.2 	This chapter shall be construed liberally to effectuate its purposes and intent.

2.3 	Sec. 4.  REPEALER.
 2.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 604A.34, is repealed.

2.5 	Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.6 	Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final enactment, and apply to judicial 
2.7 	claims pending on or commenced on or after that date.