This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.28, subdivision 10, to update the provisions regarding disparate impact under the Human Rights Act. The new language clarifies that the Act imposes liability for practices that have a discriminatory effect, regardless of intent, and defines a discriminatory effect as one that results in a disparate impact on protected classes or perpetuates segregated housing patterns. It also allows individuals to pursue claims based on practices that have a disparate impact, even if they are not part of the affected group, and removes the requirement to identify specific policies within a group that cause the impact.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions regarding the use of artificial intelligence, stating that such practices can also have a discriminatory effect if they result in disparate impacts on protected classes or contribute to segregation. The amendments emphasize that while practices may be lawful if they serve legitimate purposes, they must not have a discriminatory effect unless no feasible alternatives exist that would achieve the same goals with less impact on protected groups.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 363A.28