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Committee advances bill requiring employers to post Minnesota Human Rights Act notices
Summary
The Senate Labor Committee on voice votes adopted an A1 amendment and recommended Senate File 3607 to pass; the bill would require employers to post notices describing rights and remedies under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, with the Department of Human Rights creating the materials in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Senate File 3607, carried in the Senate Labor Committee by Senator Westlund, was amended and recommended to pass after brief discussion about implementation and language. The bill would require employers to display notices about rights and remedies available under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and directs the Department of Human Rights to create and distribute the materials in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industry.
The bill’s author said the measure is intended to refocus the prior version on notice to workers in employment settings and that the required posters would be placed "in a conspicuous position" in workplaces, similar to other federally or statutorily required postings. Rebecca Lucero, commissioner of the Department of Human Rights, called it "a simple bill, to make sure that all employers understand what their rights are under the Minnesota Human Rights Act," and said the department intends to work with DLI to get materials out widely.
Committee members asked whether the posted text would be pulled directly from the statute and whether any businesses would be exempt. Lucero told the committee the notice "will be pulled right from the Minnesota Human Rights Act" and that every Minnesota business is subject to the Act; she said the department would note any exceptions that already exist in law. Members also asked about penalties and costs; Lucero said there is no penalty in the bill for failing to post the notice and that the distribution would be absorbed within existing agency resources.
Senators raised a technical drafting question about the bill language that requires notices "in English and in the five most common languages." The author and committee staff said the intent, consistent with other statutory language, is English plus the five most common other languages and that staff would confirm wording and add clarity if needed.
After discussion the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment by voice vote and approved a motion to recommend the bill to pass and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. The recommendation was approved by voice vote; committee members did not request a roll‑call tally in the hearing.
