The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.19, to strengthen protections against discrimination based on disability status. It explicitly prohibits public and private entities that receive state funding from excluding individuals with disabilities from participating in or benefiting from their services, programs, or activities. The bill mandates that these entities provide reasonable accommodations and ensures that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against. Additionally, it defines "individual with a disability" and "disability" in accordance with existing statutes, and outlines what constitutes an unfair discriminatory practice regarding service animals in public places.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that prohibit owners or operators of public places from denying access to individuals with disabilities accompanied by service animals, and it forbids charging extra fees for such access. The effective date of the new provisions is set for the day following final enactment. Additionally, the bill instructs the revisor of statutes to add cross-references to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act whenever it appears in Minnesota Statutes, ensuring consistency in legal language.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 363A.19