SF 1556

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/02/2021 08:40am

A bill for an act
relating to government; requiring permit applications for large events on public
property to include a written sensory-friendly accommodations plan; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 37.16; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 16B; 85; 471.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [16B.2406] SENSORY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS; RALLIES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "sensory friendly" means
methods designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and sensory sensitivities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Permit; written accommodations plan. new text end

new text begin A permit application submitted under
Minnesota Rules, part 1235.0400, for a public rally with anticipated attendance of over
1,000 people must include a written accommodations plan that meets the criteria of
subdivision 3. The accommodations plan must be submitted in the form, manner, and time
prescribed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The written accommodations plan
must include at least one of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a designated sensory-friendly area at the rally;
new text end

new text begin (2) a rally area design plan that includes sensory-friendly elements;
new text end

new text begin (3) the distribution of mobile tool kits with items that support sensory needs; or
new text end

new text begin (4) a rally schedule with designated sensory-friendly time periods.
new text end

new text begin (b) The written accommodations plan must include a description of how information
about on-site accommodations requests will be communicated to rally attendees prior to
and during the rally.
new text end

new text begin (c) The written accommodations plan must include a description of how rally staff will
be trained to process an on-site sensory-friendly accommodations request.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Model accommodations plan policy. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with
the commissioner of human rights and the League of Minnesota Cities, shall develop and
maintain a model sensory-friendly accommodations plan policy and shall post the policy
on the Department of Administration's website.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan noncompliance. new text end

new text begin Noncompliance with the written
accommodations plan policy submitted under subdivision 2 results in a fine of $....... to the
permit applicant, and the permit applicant is ineligible for future permits under Minnesota
Rules, part 1235.0400. All fines collected under this subdivision shall be deposited in the
general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022, and applies to rally permit
applications received on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 37.16, is amended to read:

37.16 RULES; VIOLATION.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Bylaws. new text end

The society may make all bylaws, ordinances, and rules consistent
with law which it considers necessary or proper for the government of the fairgrounds and
all fairs to be held on them, and for the protection, health, safety, and comfort of the public
on the fairgrounds. The bylaws, ordinances, and rules are effective when filed with the
secretary of the society. The violation of a bylaw, rule, or ordinance of the society is a
misdemeanor.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Model accommodations plan policy. new text end

new text begin On or before July 1, 2022, the society
must adopt the model accommodations plan policy under section 16B.2406, subdivision 4,
as a part of its bylaws, ordinances, or rules.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan violation. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a violation
of the model accommodations plan policy under subdivision 2 results in a fine of $......., in
addition to any penalty for violating a society rule under section 37.17. All fines collected
under this subdivision shall be deposited in the general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022, and applies to
accommodations plan policy violations committed on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [85.0551] SENSORY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS PLAN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Model accommodations plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources
must require a sponsor or permittee under Minnesota Rules, part 6100.0550, to comply with
the model accommodations plan policy under section 16B.2406, subdivision 4, when
anticipated attendance at a special event is over 1,000 people.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan noncompliance. new text end

new text begin Noncompliance with the model
accommodations plan policy under subdivision 1 results in a fine of $....... to the sponsor
or permittee, and the sponsor or permittee is ineligible for future permits under Minnesota
Rules, part 6100.0550. All fines collected under this subdivision shall be deposited in the
general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022, and applies to written
permits, contracts, leases, and other written agreements entered into on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [471.472] SENSORY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS; SPECIAL
EVENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Place of public accommodation" means a facility or area that is publicly owned and
is designed for occupancy of 1,000 people or more. This includes but is not limited to a
publicly owned sports or entertainment arena, stadium, theater, community or convention
hall, special event center, amusement facility, or special event center in a public park.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Sensory friendly" means methods designed for individuals with autism spectrum
disorders and sensory sensitivities.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Special event" means a parade, race, procession, fair, carnival, community picnic,
celebration, fundraiser, dance, concert, large assembly, festival, or other gathering of a
similar nature.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Permit; written accommodations plan. new text end

new text begin A home rule charter or statutory city,
county, or town, that has adopted an ordinance that requires a permit for a special event at
a place of public accommodation must require that the permit application include a written
accommodations plan that meets the criteria of subdivision 3 when the anticipated attendance
is over 1,000 people. The accommodations plan must be submitted in the form, manner,
and time prescribed by the chief governing body of the city, county, or town.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The written accommodations plan
must include at least one of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a designated sensory-friendly area at the special event;
new text end

new text begin (2) a special event design plan that includes sensory-friendly elements;
new text end

new text begin (3) the distribution of mobile tool kits with items that support sensory needs; or
new text end

new text begin (4) a special event schedule with designated sensory-friendly time periods.
new text end

new text begin (b) The written accommodations plan must include a description of how information
about on-site accommodations requests will be communicated to special event attendees
prior to and during the special event.
new text end

new text begin (c) The written accommodations plan must include a description of how special event
staff will be trained to process an on-site sensory-friendly accommodations request.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Model accommodations plan policy. new text end

new text begin A home rule charter or statutory city,
county, or town, described in subdivision 2 must consult the model sensory-friendly
accommodations plan policy under section 16B.2406, subdivision 4, when reviewing a
written accommodations plan policy submitted under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Accommodations plan noncompliance. new text end

new text begin Noncompliance with the written
accommodations plan policy submitted under subdivision 2 results in a fine of $....... to the
permit applicant, and the permit applicant is ineligible for future permits for special events
in the city, county, or town. All fines collected under this subdivision shall be remitted to
the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the general fund.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022, and applies to special event
permit applications received on or after that date.
new text end