Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to support families with children who have autism by requiring landlords to make reasonable accommodations in rental properties. This is intended to ensure the safety of these children, particularly in environments that may contain potential hazards.

Main Provisions

• Accommodation Requests: Tenants can request adaptations from landlords to protect their autistic children from dangers like nearby bodies of water or other hazards termed "attractive nuisances."
• Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are obligated to modify policies, procedures, or even physical structures of rental properties to accommodate these requests as long as such changes do not fundamentally alter the property’s nature.
• Evidence of Autism: Landlords may ask tenants for documentation proving the child is autistic, unless the condition is obvious or has been previously disclosed to them.
• Protection from Retaliation: Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who request these accommodations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new statute in the Minnesota laws under chapter 504B, specifically addressing and advocating for accommodations for children with autism in rental housing. It expands the legal obligations of landlords to consider the specific needs of tenants with autistic children, enhancing housing safety and inclusivity for these families.

Relevant Terms

• Autism
• Accommodation
• Attractive nuisance
• Retaliation
• Landlord responsibilities
• Tenant rights