House Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Committee, March 3, 2026
Re: HF 2380 – MHRA Amendments (Public Policy Clarification on Disability Accommodations)
As a state agency, Minnesota Council on Disability serves as a liaison between Minnesotans with disabilities and their elected officials, advising on disability policy matters across employment, housing, public services, public accommodations, and education.
This Legislature has long recognized that freedom from discrimination is foundational to democracy. Section 363A.02 of the Minnesota Human Rights Act affirms that individuals are entitled to full and equal participation in employment, housing, education, and public life, free from discrimination based on disability.
HF 2380 would clarify in Minn. Stat. § 363A.02—the public policy section of the Act—that reasonable accommodations enable people with disabilities to participate fully in the areas the law protects and that failure to engage in the process to determine an appropriate accommodation may itself constitute an unfair discriminatory practice. By placing this language in the public policy section, the bill reinforces legislative intent regarding meaningful access and participation.
For many Minnesotans with disabilities, discrimination does not take the form of overt exclusion. More often, it appears as a breakdown in communication when an accommodation request is not meaningfully considered. Whether in employment, housing, education, or public services, the interactive process is how equal opportunity becomes real in practice.
HF 2380 does not create a new protected class, expand covered areas, or establish a new cause of action. Rather, it clarifies expectations around good-faith engagement in determining reasonable accommodations—an expectation already reflected in disability law and practice. Clear statutory language supports consistent interpretation, provides guidance to covered entities, and reduces ambiguity that can lead to unnecessary disputes.
Most importantly, this clarification helps ensure that Minnesotans with disabilities are not denied meaningful access because accommodation requests were not addressed, while also providing employers, landlords, schools, and public entities clearer direction on how to comply with the law.
Minnesota has periodically updated its Human Rights Act to reflect evolving legal standards and lived experience. HF 2380 continues that work by reinforcing that meaningful access is central to equal protection under the law.
For these reasons, the Minnesota Council on Disability supports HF 2380.
Thank you for your consideration.
Joel Runnels, PhD
Legislative Affairs Director
Minnesota Council on Disability
joel.runnels@state.mn.us
David Dively
Executive Director
Minnesota Council on Disability
david.dively@state.mn.us