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SF3210 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Discrimination based on disability status prohibition

Related bill: HF2380

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to amend existing laws to strengthen protections against discrimination for individuals with disabilities in the state of Minnesota. It aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from participating in programs and activities funded by the state and to reinforce the rights related to the use of service animals.

Main Provisions

  • Prohibiting Discrimination: The bill prohibits any form of discrimination against individuals with disabilities by public or private entities that receive funding from the state of Minnesota. These entities are required to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not denied access to services, programs, or activities.

  • Definition of Disability: The bill specifies that an individual with a disability is someone with a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes activities like self-care, mobility, learning, communication, and working, among others.

  • Service Animals: The bill clarifies that it is discriminatory for owners or managers of public places such as hotels, restaurants, and public transport to prevent a person with a disability from bringing in a service animal. The animal must be under control, harnessed, or leashed. Additionally, businesses cannot charge extra fees for allowing service animals.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Enhanced Definitions: The bill updates and reinforces the legal definition of what constitutes a disability and an unfair discriminatory practice in alignment with broader civil rights laws.

  • Service Animal Provisions: It more explicitly sets out the rights of individuals using service animals, aligning with federal standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Relevant Terms

discrimination, disability status, reasonable accommodations, service animals, public places, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), unfair discriminatory practice, major life activities, state-funded programs.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies the requirement for reasonable accommodations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation updates section 363A.19 to further prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded definition of 'services, programs, or activities' to include both public and private entities receiving state funding."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "363A.19",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation references section 363A.03 for definitions applicable to discrimination based on disability.",
      "modified": [
        "Utilizes existing definitions for 'disability' and 'unfair discriminatory practice' in section 363A.03."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "363A.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 12 and 48"
  }
]

Sponsors