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Committee hears competing views on proposed state Equal Rights Amendment; measure laid over
Summary
House File 501, proposing a Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment, drew extended testimony both supporting and opposing constitutional language to prohibit discrimination on specified bases. Supporters urged enshrining protections for disability, gender identity and pregnancy; opponents raised concerns about religious freedom, sports, shelters and the
House File 501, a proposed Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (MNERA), was the subject of lengthy public testimony and member debate on April 3. Representative Finke introduced the bill as a constitutional amendment that would add an explicit prohibition on discrimination based on enumerated categories including race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability and specified categories related to sex and pregnancy outcomes.
Supporters testified that the amendment would embed equal‑rights protections in the Minnesota Constitution and strengthen remedies for groups facing discrimination. Gene Martinez of The Arc Minnesota said constitutional recognition of disability protections…
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