Minnesota Session Laws - 1988, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1988 

                        CHAPTER 687-H.F.No. 453 
           An act relating to state investments; encouraging 
          corporations in Northern Ireland to pursue affirmative 
          action policies; proposing coding for new law in 
          Minnesota Statutes, chapter 11A. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [11A.241] [INVESTMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [LIST OF INVESTMENTS.] (a) By January 1 of 
each year, the state board shall: 
    (1) compile a list of corporations that, directly or 
through a subsidiary, do business in Northern Ireland and in 
whose stocks or obligations the board has invested under section 
11A.24, subdivision 3 or 5; and 
    (2) determine whether each corporation on the list has, 
during the preceding year, taken affirmative action to eliminate 
religious or ethnic discrimination in Northern Ireland. 
    (b) In making the determination required by clause (2) of 
paragraph (a), the state board shall consider whether a 
corporation has, during the preceding year, taken substantial 
action designed to lead toward the achievement of the following 
goals: 
    (1) increasing representation of persons from 
underrepresented religious groups at all levels in its workforce;
    (2) providing adequate security for employees who are 
members of minority religious groups, both at the workplace and 
while traveling to and from work; 
    (3) creating a climate in the workplace free from religious 
or political provocation; 
    (4) publicly advertising all job openings and making 
special recruiting efforts to attract applicants from 
underrepresented religious groups; 
    (5) providing that layoff, recall, and termination 
procedures do not favor workers who are members of particular 
religious groups; 
    (6) abolishing job reservations, apprenticeship 
restrictions, and differential employment criteria that 
discriminate on the basis of religious or ethnic origin; 
    (7) developing new programs and expanding existing programs 
to prepare current employees who are members of minority 
religious groups for skilled jobs; 
    (8) establishing procedures to assess, identify, and 
recruit employees who are members of minority religious groups 
and who have potential for advancement; and 
    (9) appointing senior management employees to oversee 
affirmative action efforts and the setting of timetables for 
carrying out clauses (1) to (8).  
    Subd. 2.  [AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY.] Whenever feasible, 
the board shall sponsor, cosponsor, or support shareholder 
resolutions designed to encourage corporations in which the 
board has invested to pursue a policy of affirmative action in 
Northern Ireland. 
    Subd. 3.  [DIVESTMENT NOT REQUIRED.] Nothing in this 
section may be construed to require the state board to dispose 
of existing investments or to make future investments that 
violate sound investment policy for public pensions. 
    Approved April 28, 1988