HF3712

Purpose

This bill adds requirements for notice about rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. It aims to make sure workers and students, along with their families, are informed about how to file a charge or pursue a civil action if discrimination occurs, and to encourage ongoing education about civil rights and preventing discrimination.

Main Provisions

• Notice to workers (Subd.9)

  • Employers must post and keep printed materials that explain an individual's rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
  • The materials must include rights to file a charge with the Minnesota Civil Rights agency (the commissioner) or to bring a civil action under the act (section 363A.33, subdivision 1).
  • Materials must be located in a place readily accessible to workers.
  • Employers are encouraged to present information in plain language using adult learning principles and to explain how following civil rights laws strengthens both employers and employees.
  • Employers are encouraged to identify, prevent, and reduce prohibited discriminatory conduct.

• Notice to students (Subd.5)

  • Before each school year, school districts must inform students, parents, and legal guardians of their rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
  • The notice must be publicly posted on the district or school website in the languages shown on the institution’s website.
  • The notice must include the name, office address, and phone number of the person designated to coordinate compliance.
  • The coordinator is the school principal or the principal’s designee.
  • Districts and schools are encouraged to provide developmentally appropriate instruction to help students understand that civil rights laws should be followed and to identify, prevent, and reduce prohibited discriminatory conduct.

Significant Changes to Law

• Establishes explicit notice requirements for both workplaces and schools about rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
• Requires posting of worker rights materials and school rights notices, with a focus on accessibility and language availability.
• Adds a designated compliance coordinator in school settings (principal or designee) and formalizes the information that must be provided to the public.
• Encourages use of plain language, adult learning principles, and ongoing civil rights education to reduce discrimination.

Implementation Notes

• The changes involve adding subdivisions to existing sections (363A.08 and 363A.13) and applying similar notice requirements across employers and school districts.
• The provisions emphasize accessibility, multilingual posting, and education to promote awareness and compliance with civil rights laws.

Potential Impacts

• Employers: Expect new posting duties and emphasis on accessible, easy-to-understand rights information; potential for increased awareness of filing processes.
• School districts: Expect a formal process for notifying families, a designated compliance coordinator, and ongoing educational efforts about civil rights.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Human Rights Act - Minnesota Civil Rights Act / rights to file a charge - Commissioner (civil rights agency) - Civil action (under 363A.33, subdivision 1) - Notice to workers - Notice to students - Subdivision 9 (of 363A.08) - Subdivision 5 (of 363A.13) - Section 363A.33 - Developmentally appropriate instruction - Plain language - Adult learning principles - Prohibited discriminatory conduct - Languages / multilingual posting - Districts and schools - Coordinator to coordinate compliance - Office address and phone number of coordinator