Minneapolis expands civil rights protections effective August 1
The Minneapolis City Council approved a new civil rights ordinance that will prohibit discrimination based on housing status, criminal history, height, and weight starting August 1, 2025. The expanded protections also strengthen existing safeguards for pregnant individuals, religious observances, and other groups.
Minneapolis is implementing sweeping changes to its civil rights protections next month. The new ordinance, which takes effect August 1, adds four entirely new categories to the list of characteristics that cannot be used as grounds for discrimination: housing status, justice history (criminal record), height, and weight.
Beyond these new protections, the ordinance also expands how the city defines existing protected classes. The definitions for race, family status, and disability have been broadened to provide more comprehensive coverage. Additionally, the ordinance strengthens protections for pregnant individuals and those seeking religious accommodations, giving them greater legal standing against discrimination.
The changes will affect employers and educational institutions across Minneapolis, which are now required to review and understand the updated regulations before the August 1 deadline. The ordinance aims to prevent discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations.
The expansion reflects a growing recognition that discrimination takes many forms. By adding housing status and criminal history to protected categories, the city is acknowledging barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness and those with prior convictions seeking employment and housing. The inclusion of height and weight addresses discrimination based on physical appearance that can affect access to jobs and services.
Organizations and businesses in Minneapolis should begin preparing now to ensure compliance with the new rules. The city has not announced specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties, but violations of civil rights ordinances typically result in complaints filed with the city's civil rights department.
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[0:01] A partir del 1 de agosto de 2025, cualquier
persona que viva, trabaje o visite Minneapolis
[0:09] tendrá nuevas protecciones de derechos
civiles: No pueden discriminarte por:
[0:14] Tu estatus de vivienda, Si tienes antecedentes
penales (lo que se llama "historial de justicia"),
[0:20] Tu altura o peso. "Estatus de vivienda" significa
si tienes o no un lugar estable y regular donde
[0:28] dormir por las noches. La ordenanza no impide que
las organizaciones hagan ciertas distinciones o
[0:36] hagan preguntas sobre el estatus de vivienda si la
ley federal o estatal lo exige, o si hay una razón
[0:44] comercial válida permitida por la ley. "Historial
de justicia" significa tener antecedentes penales,
[0:52] como arrestos, cargos, condenas, tiempo en
la cárcel o libertad condicional. Dicho esto,
[0:59] los empleadores pueden considerar cómo ese
historial se relaciona con el trabajo. Deben
[1:06] tomar en cuenta: Si hubo una condena, Cuánto
tiempo ha pasado desde el delito, La gravedad y
[1:12] naturaleza del crimen, La edad de la persona al
momento del hecho, Evidencia de rehabilitación.
[1:21] No se puede discriminar por arrestos que no
llevaron a condenas, salvo que haya un caso
[1:26] pendiente. Las reglas estatales y federales de
licencias siguen aplicando. Las escuelas deben
[1:34] considerar cómo el historial podría afectar
la posibilidad de obtener licencias en ciertas
[1:41] profesiones. "Altura" significa cuán alta es una
persona, y "peso" cuánto pesa. Esto incluye los
[1:50] números reales y cómo otros te perciben: como alto
o bajo, delgado o con sobrepeso. En educación,
[1:59] empleo, vivienda y servicios al público (como
tiendas o restaurantes), cualquier decisión
[2:06] basada en altura o peso debe ser razonablemente
necesaria para el funcionamiento normal del
[2:13] trabajo o servicio. Esto significa que no puede
haber otra manera de hacerlo sin causar problemas
[2:21] importantes, cambiar el propósito principal del
programa o poner en riesgo la salud o seguridad
[2:27] de alguien. Otras protecciones nuevas incluyen
la ampliación de definiciones sobre raza,
[2:35] estatus familiar y discapacidad...y
mayores protecciones para personas
[2:40] embarazadas y para las observancias religiosas.
Los empleadores e instituciones educativas deben
[2:49] revisar la ordenanza para entender lo que ahora
deben considerar. Visita nuestro sitio web para
[2:57] obtener más información o para presentar una
queja si crees que has sido discriminado/a.
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