Minn. Stat. § 363A § 363A.02
PUBLIC POLICY.
Operative Text
Subdivision 1.Freedom from discrimination. (a) It is the public policy of this state to secure for persons in this state, freedom from discrimination: (1) in employment because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, familial status, and age; (2) in housing and real property because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, and familial status; (3) in public accommodations because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability; (4) in public services because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, and status with regard to public assistance; and (5) in education because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, and age. (b) Such discrimination threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of this state and menaces the institutions and foundations of democracy. It is also the public policy of this state to protect all persons from wholly unfounded charges of discrimination. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as restricting the implementation of positive action programs to combat discrimination. (c) Failure to engage in the process to determine if a reasonable accommodation exists that would allow people with disabilities as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12, to participate fully in employment, housing and real property, public accommodations, public services, and education may be an unfair discriminatory practice under this chapter. Subd. 2.Civil right. The opportunity to obtain employment, housing, and other real estate, and full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public services, and educational institutions without such discrimination as is prohibited by this chapter is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right. Subd. 3.Severability. If any provision of Laws 1967, chapter 897, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or applications of Laws 1967, chapter 897, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of Laws 1967, chapter 897, are severable.
Minn. Stat. § 363A.02 establishes Minnesota's foundational public policy against discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, public services, and education. In the housing context specifically, the law prohibits differential treatment based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, familial status, and several other protected categories. The statute also recognizes the right to obtain housing free from such discrimination as a civil right, and notes that failing to explore reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities may itself constitute an unfair discriminatory practice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minn. Stat. § 363A.02, property owners and managers operating in Minnesota are expected to treat all applicants and residents consistently, without regard to the protected characteristics enumerated in the statute—including race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, familial status, and others. Compliant operators generally maintain written non-discrimination policies, apply uniform screening criteria, and engage in a good-faith interactive process when a resident or applicant requests a reasonable accommodation due to a disability. Keeping records of accommodation requests and responses is a practice commonly associated with compliance under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minn. Stat. § 363A.02 declares that freedom from housing discrimination is a civil right in Minnesota, covering characteristics such as race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, familial status, and more. Tenants who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment—including a landlord's refusal to discuss a reasonable accommodation for a disability—may have grounds to raise a violation under this chapter. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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 2, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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