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HF2855 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Statute of limitations for actions under the Minnesota Human Rights Act amended.

Related bill: SF3112

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to extend the statute of limitations for filing a civil action under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. This change allows individuals more time to bring forth claims related to discriminatory practices.

Main Provisions

  • Extended Filing Period: The bill extends the time limit for filing a claim of unfair discriminatory practice from one year to ten years from the date the discriminatory act occurred.
  • Suspension of Limitation Period: The bill suspends the ten-year period during the time parties are involved in voluntary dispute resolution processes, such as arbitration, mediation, or grievance procedures related to claims of unlawful discrimination. The same suspension applies when a school board's sexual harassment or sexual violence policy is involved.
  • Notification Requirement: If a respondent participates in a dispute resolution process with a claimant before a lawsuit is filed, they must notify the appropriate department and the claimant. Failure to provide this notification prevents the respondent from arguing that the statute of limitations has expired unless ten years, plus the suspension period, has elapsed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill significantly alters the current statute of limitations by increasing the period for filing discrimination claims from one year to ten years, providing potential claimants with a longer timeframe to seek legal action.

Relevant Terms

  • Statute of Limitations
  • Discrimination
  • Minnesota Human Rights Act
  • Civil Action
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Arbitration
  • Mediation
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sexual Violence

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the statute of limitations for actions under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.",
      "modified": [
        "Extends the statute of limitations from one year to ten years for filing a claim of an unfair discriminatory practice."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "363A.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Related citation to the claim of an unfair discriminatory practice under the Human Rights Act.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "363A.33",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Remains relevant for claims filed with a local commission as part of the Human Rights Act amendments.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "363A.07",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This citation is related to the suspension period during which a civil action may not be brought.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "363A.331",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

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