Human Rights Commission Meeting Date: June 24, 2026
To: Human Rights Commission
From: Claudia Garcia, Staff Liaison
Title
Staff Report.
Body
Action Requested:
None.
Summary Report:
The following are some updates on activities to share with the Human Rights Commission:
§ MN Department of Human Rights
• Mission- Make Minnesota discrimination free.
• 3 Primary Duties
o The Minnesota Human Rights Act tasks the Minnesota Department of Human Rights with three primary duties:
§ Investigate charges of discrimination
§ Issue Workforce and Equal Pay Certificates
§ Educate to reduce discrimination and disparate outcomes
• Report Discrimination
o Call 651-539-1100 or 1-833-454-0148.
o Translation/interpretation services are available.
o You have within one year to report the alleged act of discrimination to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
o If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.
• News:
o Minnesota Human Rights Act and ongoing state settlements still apply despite federal reversal.
The U.S. Department of Education announced it will terminate settlement agreements with schools that violated federal gender identity protections. In April 2026, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero responds to the U.S Department of Education, “Minnesota will not allow discrimination to take root where our students learn and grow. The Minnesota Human Rights Act- Minnesota’s robust civil rights law- has explicitly prohibited discrimination based on gender identity since 1993. These protections are not optional, and they are not going away. We will use every tool available to ensure that Minnesota remains a place where every young person can thrive.”
“The Department of Human Rights will fully enforce state law as well as maintain settlement agreements with school districts. We expect every district will uphold its responsibility to provide a quality learning environment, free from discrimination for every student, including transgender and gender nonconforming students.”
§ Public Participation
• Northfield has many residents who want to stay connected, informed and participate. Northfield is a community with caring, passionate and thought-provoking residents. We want to hear from everyone.
• Public Participation | Northfield, MN - Official Website <https://northfieldmn.gov/1633/Public-Participation>
§ Collaborating with different community partners and city departments:
• City Administration
• City Hall will be closed on
o Juneteenth (June 19)
o Independence Day (July 4)
o Labor Day (First Monday in September)
• For questions regarding elections, please contact:
o Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
§ 507-645-3001
§ lynette.peterson@northfieldmn.gov <mailto:lynette.peterson@northfieldmn.gov>
§ Nothfieldmn.gov/Vote
• DMV
o Hours:
§ Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30am- 4:15pm
§ Tuesday 7:30am-5:45pm
§ Friday 7:30am-11:45am
§ For more information, visit the website: Motor Vehicle | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/258/Motor-Vehicle>
• Community Development
o Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) will be collaborating with the City of Northfield and MCCD (Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers)
• Northfield Public Library
o The library is now selling:
§ Hiawathaland Bus tokens and
§ Processing US passports by appointment:
• Home - Passport Services - MyNPL at Northfield Public Library <https://mynpl.org/passports>
• Engineering:
o Construction & Development Projects
§ Staying connected with live projects on “Notify Me” to stay up to date on live projects.
§ <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/291/Construction-Development-Projects>
o Continuous efforts for accessibility and equity:
§ Interpreter Etiquette- is a guide for those needing and Meeting Participants | Northfield, MN - Official Website (northfieldmn.gov) <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1506/Meeting-Participants>
§ Cultural & Language Training
• <https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1297/LanguageLine>
• LanguageLine is a service that the City of Northfield invested in. Staff have 24/7 access to LanguageLine and access to more than 240 languages.
§ Providing communications in English and Spanish
• Social media platforms
o (1) City of Northfield, Minnesota | Northfield MN | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/cityofnorthfield>
o •City of Northfield (@cityofnorthfield) Instagram photos and videos <https://www.instagram.com/cityofnorthfield/?hl=en>
o (3) City of Northfield account | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/city-of-northfield-account-7514b2278/>
§ Accessibility links on City website
• Translate feature
Alternative Options:
NA
Financial Impacts:
NA
Tentative Timelines:
NA