1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to housing; landlord and tenants; prohibiting dog breed restrictions; 
1.3 	authorizing civil penalties;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 504B.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [504B.1145] DOG BREED RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITED.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
1.8 	the meanings given.
1.9 	(b) "Application for occupancy" means all phases of the process of applying for the right 
1.10 	to occupy a real property, including but not limited to filling out applications, interviewing, 
1.11 	and submitting references.
1.12 	(c) "Dog breed" means a group of domestic dogs with common physical characteristics, 
1.13 	such as size, coat type, coloration, and temperament, that are bred selectively by humans 
1.14 	for specific purposes or traits.
1.15 		Subd. 2.Prohibitions. A landlord who allows a dog on the premises shall not:
1.16 	(1) advertise the availability of a real property for occupancy in a manner designed to 
1.17 	discourage application for occupancy of that real property because an applicant's dog is a 
1.18 	specific dog breed;
1.19 	(2) refuse to allow the occupancy of a real property, refuse to negotiate the occupancy 
1.20 	of a real property, or otherwise make unavailable or deny to another person the occupancy 
1.21 	of a real property because of a dog's breed, if the dog would otherwise be allowed on the 
1.22 	premises; or
2.1 	(3) require a tenant or occupant of real property to relinquish a dog that is otherwise 
2.2 	allowed on the premises due to the dog's breed.
2.3 		Subd. 3.Penalties. (a) A city attorney, a county attorney, or the attorney general may 
2.4 	bring an action in district court to obtain injunctive relief for a violation of this section and 
2.5 	to enforce the civil penalties provided in this subdivision.
2.6 	(b) In addition to any other penalty allowed by law, a violation of subdivision 2, clause 
2.7 	(1), shall result in a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per advertisement, to be paid to 
2.8 	the entity that is authorized to bring the action under this section.
2.9 	(c) In addition to any other penalty allowed by law, a violation of subdivision 2, clause 
2.10 	(2) or (3), shall result in a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per animal, to be paid to 
2.11 	the entity that is authorized to bring the action under this section.