Saint Paul, Minn., Legis. Code ch. 183 § 183.051
Education exemptions
Operative Text
(a) It is not an unfair discriminatory practice for a religious or denominational institution to limit admission or give preference to applicants of the same religion. The provisions of section 183.05 relating to sex shall not apply to a private educational institution, or branch or level of a private educational institution, in which students of only one (1) sex are permitted to enroll. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any educational institution to provide any special service to any individual person because of the disability of such person or to modify in any manner its buildings, grounds, facilities or admission procedures because of the disability of any such person. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an educational institution from discriminating on the basis of academic qualifications or achievements or requiring from applicants information which relates to academic qualifications or achievements. (b) It is not an unfair discriminatory practice for an educational institution or a public service to operate or sponsor separate athletic teams and activities for members of each sex or to restrict membership on an athletic team to participants of one (1) sex, if this separation or restriction meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 126.21. (c) The department of human rights and equal economic opportunity shall investigate all charges alleging sex discrimination in athletic programs in educational institutions and public services pursuant to the standards and requirements of Minnesota Statutes, ch. 121A.04 and the procedures enumerated in this chapter. (d) Nothing in this chapter restricts or limits the rights, procedures and remedies available under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, United States Code, Title 29, Section 794, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1400 et seq.
Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 183 § 183.051 carves out several exemptions from the city's general anti-discrimination rules as they apply to educational settings. Religious institutions may favor applicants of their own faith, single-sex private schools are not bound by the chapter's sex-discrimination provisions for enrollment, and educational institutions may still screen applicants on academic grounds. The provision also clarifies that nothing in the chapter overrides federal disability-rights protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and operators who run or are affiliated with educational institutions should be aware that § 183.051 defines the boundaries of permissible conduct in educational contexts, not in standard residential tenancy. Operators of religious or denominational institutions may lawfully give enrollment preference to members of their own faith under this section, and institutions that are single-sex by design are not subject to the chapter's sex-discrimination rules for enrollment purposes. Compliance-minded operators should nonetheless ensure that any admissions or program policies stay within the specific exemptions enumerated in § 183.051 and do not conflict with applicable federal law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 183.051 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code describes situations where certain educational institutions are permitted to make distinctions that would otherwise be considered discriminatory under chapter 183. Tenants or students who believe they have experienced discrimination in an educational context should be aware that federal protections—including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—remain fully intact and are not limited by this chapter. Those with concerns about sex discrimination in athletic programs may also note that § 183.051(c) directs the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity to investigate such charges; consulting a tenant-rights or civil-rights organization can help clarify which avenue may be relevant.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.