1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/26/2015 08:54am
A bill for an act
relating to civil actions; modifying certain protections related to public
participation in government; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections
554.01, subdivision 6; 554.05; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 554; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 604A.34.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 554.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
"Public participation" means speech or lawful
conduct that is genuinely aimed in whole or in part at procuring favorable government
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(1) seeking assistance from, or reporting suspected unlawful conduct to, law
enforcement;
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(2) speaking before a zoning board regarding a real estate development project;
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(3) communicating with an elected official concerning a change in law;
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(4) demonstrating peacefully for or against a government action; and
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(5) filing a complaint with a government entity regarding safety, sexual harassment,
civil rights, or equal employment rights.
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Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 554.05, is amended to read:
Nothing in this chapter limits or precludes any rights the moving party or responding
party may have under any other constitutional, statutory, case, or common law, or rule.
new text begin Nothing in this chapter exempts individuals from their professional obligations of
confidentiality.
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This chapter shall be construed liberally to effectuate its purposes and intent.
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Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 604A.34,
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is repealed.
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Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final enactment, and apply to judicial
claims pending on or commenced on or after that date.
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