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HF3711 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Administrative hearings provisions amended for human rights cases.

Related bill: SF3606

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • To amend the administrative hearings provisions for human rights cases. The change creates a formal process where a commissioner’s determination can be examined as a contested case, with a binding report from an administrative law judge (ALJ) and a path to resolution through a formal hearing and appeal process.

Main Provisions

  • A determination issued by the commissioner may be heard as a contested case.
  • The ALJ’s report becomes binding on all parties and can be implemented by an order as provided in subdivision 3.
  • A party contesting the commissioner’s determination may request a hearing, either on their own behalf or through a private attorney.
  • The commissioner must decide within 30 days whether to forward the request for a hearing to the Office Court of Administrative Hearings (the bill's reference to the hearing body). The Office Court of Administrative Hearings shall promptly set the matter for hearing.
  • The hearing location is designated by the commissioner and must be in the county where the unfair discriminatory practice occurred or where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business.
  • The hearing is conducted under the procedures in sections 14.57 to 14.62 and is subject to appeal under sections 14.63 to 14.68.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Establishes a formal contested-case hearing process for human rights determinations.
  • Makes the ALJ’s report binding on all parties and suitable for implementation by an order.
  • Allows a party to request a hearing with the option to appear personally or through a private attorney.
  • Introduces a 30-day deadline for the commissioner to decide whether to forward the matter to the Office Court of Administrative Hearings for a hearing.
  • Shifts the hearing process to the Office Court of Administrative Hearings and requires prompt scheduling.
  • Specifies that hearings occur in the county where the discrimination occurred or where the respondent lives or has a principal place of business.
  • Aligns the hearing and appeal process with existing statutory sections (14.57-14.62 for hearing; 14.63-14.68 for appeal).

Relevant Terms

  • unfair discriminatory practice
  • commissioner
  • administrative law judge (ALJ)
  • binding
  • order
  • Office Court of Administrative Hearings
  • 30 days
  • contested case
  • hearing
  • private attorney
  • respondent
  • county
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 363A.29 subdivision 1
  • Minnesota Human Rights Act
  • sections 14.57 to 14.62
  • sections 14.63 to 14.68

Bill text versions

Upcoming committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 363A.29, subdivision 1 (Conduct of hearings) in the human rights context, outlining how a determination issued by the commissioner may be challenged and how the hearing process is to proceed, including the binding nature of the ALJ report, options to request a hearing, and coordination with the Office of Administrative Hearings.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that a determination may be heard as a contested case with the ALJ's report binding on all parties.",
        "Allows the party contesting the determination to request a hearing either personally or via private counsel.",
        "Requires the commissioner to decide within 30 days whether to forward the hearing request to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which shall promptly set the matter for hearing.",
        "Locates the hearing within the county where the unfair discriminatory practice occurred or where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business.",
        "States that the hearing shall be conducted in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.62 and is subject to appeal under sections 14.63 to 14.68."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "363A.29",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References to Minnesota Statutes sections 14.57 through 14.62, which govern procedures for contested cases under the Administrative Procedure Act.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.57 to 14.62",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References to Minnesota Statutes sections 14.63 through 14.68, which cover appeals and related procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.63 to 14.68",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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