SF 5327

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/12/2024 09:29am

A bill for an act
relating to housing; landlord and tenants; prohibiting dog breed restrictions;
authorizing civil penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 504B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [504B.1145] DOG BREED RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

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

new text begin (b) "Application for occupancy" means all phases of the process of applying for the right
to occupy a real property, including but not limited to filling out applications, interviewing,
and submitting references.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Dog breed" means a group of domestic dogs with common physical characteristics,
such as size, coat type, coloration, and temperament, that are bred selectively by humans
for specific purposes or traits.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibitions. new text end

new text begin A landlord who allows a dog on the premises shall not:
new text end

new text begin (1) advertise the availability of a real property for occupancy in a manner designed to
discourage application for occupancy of that real property because an applicant's dog is a
specific dog breed;
new text end

new text begin (2) refuse to allow the occupancy of a real property, refuse to negotiate the occupancy
of a real property, or otherwise make unavailable or deny to another person the occupancy
of a real property because of a dog's breed, if the dog would otherwise be allowed on the
premises; or
new text end

new text begin (3) require a tenant or occupant of real property to relinquish a dog that is otherwise
allowed on the premises due to the dog's breed.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Penalties. new text end

new text begin (a) A city attorney, a county attorney, or the attorney general may
bring an action in district court to obtain injunctive relief for a violation of this section and
to enforce the civil penalties provided in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) In addition to any other penalty allowed by law, a violation of subdivision 2, clause
(1), shall result in a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per advertisement, to be paid to
the entity that is authorized to bring the action under this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) In addition to any other penalty allowed by law, a violation of subdivision 2, clause
(2) or (3), shall result in a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per animal, to be paid to
the entity that is authorized to bring the action under this section.
new text end