HF1566

This Minnesota House bill (H.F. No. 1566) seeks to provide additional housing accommodations for children with autism in rental properties. Key provisions include:

1. Tenant Requests for Accommodations:

   • Tenants with an autistic child may request reasonable accommodations to protect the child from harm, especially if there is an attractive nuisance nearby (such as a lake, river, or other hazardous areas).

2. Landlord Obligations:

   • Upon request, landlords must make reasonable modifications to policies, procedures, or the property itself to enhance safety, unless these changes would fundamentally alter the property structure or nature.

3. Documentation Requirements:

   • Landlords can request documentation proving the child’s autism unless the condition is obvious or previously known.

4. Protection Against Retaliation:

   • Landlords who receive and act on accommodation requests cannot retaliate against the tenant for making such requests.

The bill introduces this policy as a new section (504B.213) in the Minnesota Statutes, emphasizing housing protections for families with autistic children.