HF3670

Purpose

• This bill aims to modify how sexual orientation is defined for protections under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Main Provisions

• It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.03, subdivision 44, to define sexual orientation as: “to whom someone is or is perceived of as being emotionally physically or sexually attracted to based on sex or gender identity.”
• The definition explicitly allows attraction to men, women, both, neither, or to people who are genderqueer, androgynous, or have other gender identities.
• It clarifies that sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attraction to children by an adult.
• The language includes both actual and perceived attractions, acknowledging how someone is viewed in terms of attraction based on sex or gender identity.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands or clarifies the scope of the term “sexual orientation” to explicitly include attractions involving non-binary or non-traditional gender identities (e.g., genderqueer, androgynous).
• Introduces or reinforces the concept of being “perceived” as attracted to someone based on sex or gender identity, which broadens how discrimination or protections may be understood.
• Maintains a protective standard by explicitly excluding attractions to children by an adult, aligning with existing safety norms.

Relevant terms - Minnesota Human Rights Act - sexual orientation - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - section 363A.03 - subdivision 44 - gender identity - sex - genderqueer - androgynous - perceived attraction - attraction to children