HF 1837

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to local government; authorizing city councils in cities of the first class
to establish civil rights or human rights departments; providing enforcement
powers for housing discrimination cases.

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

Section 1. new text begin CIVIL RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any statute, city charter provision, or ordinance to the contrary, and
in addition to all other powers conferred by statute or charter, the city council of a city
of the first class may, by ordinance, establish a civil rights or human rights department,
director, or commission, or grant additional powers to an existing civil rights or human
rights department, director, or commission so that the rights and remedies afforded to
persons claiming discriminatory housing practices qualify the civil rights or human
rights department, director, or commission as a substantially equivalent agency under the
regulations of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 24, part 115, subpart B.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REMEDIES; ENFORCEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Housing discrimination enforcement. new text end

new text begin A civil rights or human
rights department, director, or commission authorized by this act may impose and, through
the district court, enforce any remedy, sanction, or penalty enumerated in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 24, section 115.202, in housing discrimination cases.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin District court jurisdiction. new text end

new text begin The district court has jurisdiction to
enforce the remedies, sanctions, or penalties when they are imposed by a civil rights or
human rights department, director, or commission operating under this act in housing
discrimination cases. The district court also has jurisdiction to impose and enforce the
remedies, sanctions, or penalties in the exercise of its own jurisdiction to enforce the
housing discrimination provisions of a human rights or civil rights ordinance of a city of
the first class, if the ordinance provides that original enforcement jurisdiction is in the
district court.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Time limit for filing claim. new text end

new text begin The time for filing a claim with a civil rights
or human rights department, director, or commission, or as an original civil action in the
district court, cannot exceed the time for filing a claim under Minnesota Statutes, section
363A.28, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Judicial review. new text end

new text begin A party aggrieved by a final decision or order of a civil
rights or human rights department, director, or commission may seek judicial review in
the district court within the time provided in cases of district court judicial review of
local government action.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end