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 en...
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