Hello Human Rights Commissioners!
I have some exciting and personal news to share with you all. I have accepted a job outside of state government to work on social issues that are incredibly important to me.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has given me a very rewarding experience by contributing to the state’s civil rights enforcement agency. I’m looking forward to carrying on my skills and all that I’ve learned to my future work.
It has been a privilege to work with your commissions and watch them grow. I am excited to watch you continue to educate, support, and advocate for your communities!
My last day is this Friday, August 9.
I want to make sure you have all the information you need to be wildly successful. So I’ve compiled information and frequently asked questions for you. Below you will find:
- Answers to the most common questions I receive along with resources and information to stay connected and engaged with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and fellow commissions.
- Updates from the legislative session, including changes to the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
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Your Frequently Asked Questions – Answered!
How does the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the state’s civil right’s enforcement agency, work with local human rights commissions?
We provide extensive information on our website. Some of our most popular pages include:
We also hold gatherings for all the local commissions a couple of times throughout the year. These meetings provide an opportunity for local commissions to network, learn about each other’s work, provide feedback on any proposed legislative changes at the Capitol, and learn more about MDHR’s work.
Make sure we have your most current updated list of local commission members by sending your list of members to info.mdhr@state.mn.us! Please include email addresses.
Can any local human rights commission conduct investigations and issue determinations like the Minnesota Department of Human Rights?
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is authorized to do its work by statute – MN Stat 363A. A local human rights commission is only authorized to conduct investigations and issue findings if it has authority under ordinance. Currently, only the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul can do so.
Local human rights commissions can support community members who believe they have faced discrimination by talking them through the investigation process, setting expectations on the amount of time it takes to investigate cases, and reminding people to document as much as possible.
Local human rights commissions help prevent discrimination from happening in the first place. When there are changes to laws or when cases settle, local human rights commissions play an integral role. You can share the information by educating community members, employers, and schools to help change the systems at the ground level to prevent discrimination from happening in the first place.
How can I make sure the Minnesota Department of Human Rights has the updated information on commission members?
We want to make sure each commission member receives our newsletters full of updates and information. Please make sure you are regularly sending us the updated list of members to info.mdhr@state.mn.us.
How can I start a commission?
If you are interested in starting a local commission, please work with your city or county. Local commissions are not officially affiliated with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, but rather are started by local ordinances.
Check out the Local Commission Map to see what commissions are near you. You are welcome to reach out to them and ask for their advice or recommendations!
Legislative Session Updates
During the 2024 legislative session, almost every policy provision that we worked to pass became law. It takes a lot of work for a bill to become law – thank you to everyone who helped!
Definition of disability is more inclusive
As of August 1, 2024, Minnesotans with intermittent health conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, or who have cancer in remission, now have protections from disability discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
This means, for example, someone with epilepsy can request a reasonable accommodation from their employer without fear of being fired because of their epilepsy.
Previously under the law, that same person would not be eligible for any reasonable accommodation for their epilepsy and could have been fired because of their medical condition.
Minnesota’s civil rights law better reflects the many ways people live and care for each other
As of August 1, 2024, the definition of familial status in Minnesota’s civil rights law was updated to clarify that familial status means parent(s) or guardian(s) having legal status and removes any reference to a minor “being domiciled.”
This change from “domiciled” to legal status is an important change to afford protections of the Minnesota Human Rights Act to families across the state.
Another important change in the definition includes clarifying that familial status includes living and caring for someone of any age who lacks the ability to meet essential requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care.
This means, for example, that someone who provides continuous care for another person cannot be denied housing because there is an additional adult in the home. Importantly, the person receiving continuous care does not need to have any legal relationship to the person providing the care.
Minnesota law now requires pay transparency
Beginning January 1, 2025, employers that employ 30 or more employees must include a salary range and a description of benefits with a job posting.
This builds on Minnesota’s new pay history law, which prohibits employers from asking a job applicant about their current or past pay. The law encourages employers to rely on a job applicant’s skills and qualifications to set pay. Both laws are important because they help close the gender and racial pay gap.
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