April 9, 2026
Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee,
Re: SF 3210 – Human Rights Act Amendments (Disability Nondiscrimination in State-Funded Programs)
The Minnesota Council on Disability appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony in support of SF 3210. Through our outreach out to the disability community, we have heard from Minnesotans with disabilities that barriers to accessing publicly funded programs and services remain a persistent challenge. This is particularly true when they continue to face discrimination, and when reasonable accommodations are not clearly understood or consistently implemented.
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.
SF 3210 builds on this foundation by clarifying that entities receiving state funding may not exclude individuals with disabilities from participation in services, programs, or activities and must provide reasonable accommodation to ensure access. By reinforcing these expectations, the bill strengthens the state’s commitment to equal access and participation across publicly supported systems.
For many Minnesotans with disabilities, discrimination does not take the form of overt exclusion. More often, it appears as barriers to access—when programs, services, or supports are not designed or implemented in ways that allow full participation. SF 3210 addresses this reality by affirming that access must be built into systems that receive public funding.
SF 3210 does not create a new protected class or fundamentally alter the scope of disability rights law. Rather, it clarifies expectations that entities benefiting from state resources must ensure their programs are accessible and nondiscriminatory. Clear statutory language supports consistent interpretation, provides guidance to covered entities, and helps prevent avoidable barriers to participation.
Most importantly, this clarification helps ensure that Minnesotans with disabilities are not excluded from publicly funded programs and services, while also providing clearer expectations for entities responsible for delivering those services.
Minnesota has periodically updated its Human Rights Act to reflect evolving legal standards and lived experience. SF 3210 continues that work by reinforcing that access and inclusion are central to equal protection under the law.
For these reasons, the Minnesota Council on Disability supports SF 3210.
Thank you for your consideration.
Joel Runnels, PhD
Legislative Affairs Director
Minnesota Council on Disability