Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to clarify what counts as discriminatory behavior by a place of public accommodation, specifically toward individuals with disabilities. It amends the Minnesota Statutes section on human rights to ensure that people with disabilities receive equal treatment and access to public accommodations.

Main Provisions

• General Prohibitions: The bill highlights actions that are considered discriminatory if they deny individuals or classes of individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in or benefit from public accommodations equally. This includes:

  • Denying equal access to goods, services, facilities, or privileges.
  • Providing services or benefits that are unequal or separate unless necessary for equal effectiveness.
  • Failing to provide closed-captioned television for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
  • Not providing accessible medical equipment for individuals with mobility disabilities.

• Specific Prohibitions: Detailed actions that constitute discrimination include:

  • Using eligibility criteria that unintentionally exclude individuals with disabilities.
  • Failing to make reasonable policy or procedure modifications to accommodate disabilities unless such changes would fundamentally alter the nature of goods or services.
  • Not taking steps to include individuals due to the lack of necessary aids or services unless it would be an undue burden.
  • Failing to remove structural barriers where removal is achievable and not burdensome.
  • Not providing services through alternative means if barrier removal is not feasible.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill specifies that public accommodations must include accessible medical equipment such as adjustable examination tables and patient lifts in healthcare settings to ensure equal access for individuals with mobility disabilities.
• It emphasizes making existing facilities free of architectural and communication barriers where possible.

Relevant Terms

• Public accommodation
• Disability discrimination
• Accessible medical equipment
• Reasonable modifications
• Auxiliary aids and services
• Structural barriers
• Mobility disability
• Closed-captioned television