SF3776 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Human Rights Act definition of sexual orientation modification
Related bill: HF3670
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill updates the definition of “Sexual orientation” in the Minnesota Human Rights Act to reflect how attraction is understood and protected under state law. It specifies how the term is defined and who counts for the purposes of anti-discrimination protections.
Main provisions
- The definition added: “Sexual orientation means to whom someone is or is perceived of as being emotionally physically or sexually attracted to based on sex or gender identity.”
- It recognizes that a person may be attracted to men, women, both, neither, or to people who are genderqueer, androgynous, or have other gender identities.
- It includes the concept that attraction can be based on how others perceive the person’s sexuality, not just how the person identifies themselves.
- It explicitly states that sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attraction to children by an adult.
Significant changes to existing law
- Broadens the Minnesota Human Rights Act’s protection by expanding the definition of sexual orientation to include attractions described in terms of gender identity and perceived attraction.
- Adds nontraditional gender identities (e.g., genderqueer, androgynous, and other gender identities) into the scope of protected sexual orientation.
- Creates a clear exclusion for adult–child sexual attraction, maintaining a safety limit within the definition.
Potential implications
- The broadened definition may affect how discrimination based on sexual orientation is identified and addressed in workplaces, housing, schools, and public services.
- By including “perceived” attraction and various gender identities, protections may apply more broadly to people who are LGBTQ+ and those who are gender-nonconforming.
- The explicit exclusion of attraction to children reinforces the boundary that protections cover consensual adult relationships only.
Terminology used or reflected in the bill
- Sexual orientation
- Minnesota Human Rights Act
- Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 363A.03 subdivision 44
- Emotionally, physically or sexually attracted
- Based on sex or gender identity
- Perceived attraction
- Gender identity
- Genderqueer
- Androgynous
- Other gender identities
- Not include attraction to children
Relevant Terms - Sexual orientation - Minnesota Human Rights Act - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 363A.03 subdivision 44 - emotionally attracted - physically attracted - sexually attracted - perceived - gender identity - genderqueer - androgynous - other gender identities - not include attraction to children
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines sexual orientation as the property of being emotionally, physically, or sexually attracted to another person based on sex or gender identity, including attraction to men, women, both, neither, or to people who are genderqueer, androgynous, or have other gender identities.",
"States that sexual orientation excludes a physical or sexual attraction to children by an adult."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. 2024, sec. 363A.03, subd. 44, to redefine sexual orientation for purposes of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.",
"modified": [
"Revises the statutory definition of sexual orientation under Minn. Stat. 363A.03, subd. 44."
]
},
"citation": "363A.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 44"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee