Protected classes 

In Minneapolis, protected classes include:

*These protected classes are in effect as of August 1, 2025.

Where you are protected

You may file a complaint if you experience discrimination in any of the following areas:

Housing status

This means whether you have a stable, regular place to sleep at night or not.

What to know

Organizations can ask questions about housing status if the law permits it.

They can also do so if they have a valid business reason.

Protected areas

• Employment
• Education
• Housing 
• Public accommodations

Justice impacted status

This means having a criminal record or history, such as:

• any arrest
• charge
• conviction
• period of incarceration
• past or current probationary status

What employers should consider

Employers should consider the following when making employment decisions about justice-impacted individuals:

• If there was a conviction.
• How long ago the offense or conviction occurred.
• The severity and nature of the crime.
• The person’s age at the time.
• Evidence of rehabilitation.

Employers cannot discriminate based on arrests that didn’t lead to convictions. This does not include pending cases. State and federal licensing rules still apply.

What schools should consider

Schools should consider how this status can affect a person's ability to get a license for a job or service.

Protected areas

• Employment
• Education
• Housing *  
• Public accommodations

* See 244.2030 (c)(1)

Height or weight 

Height means how tall you are, and weight means how much you weigh. This includes actual numbers and how people see you, such as tall or short, heavy or light.

What to know

Height and weight can be considered for a job or service, but only if:

• The person cannot be accommodated without changing the main purpose of the program or service.
• It would put their health or safety, or someone else’s, at risk.

Employers may also consider

Employers may consider height or weight when:

• It may prevent the person from performing essential job duties.

• The person cannot be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship to the employer.

• The person's height or weight poses a direct threat to the health and/or safety of themselves or others.

Protected areas

• Education*
• Employment*
• Professional organizations
• Business
• Housing*
• Public accommodations*
• Public service

*These areas may consider these factors in regard to height and weight

Race

The definition now includes:

• Skin color
• Certain physical features
• Hair texture/style

Familial status

The definition now includes those who live and care for adults who cannot care for themselves.

Disability

The definition now includes impairments that happen in episodes or are in remission.

Protected classes ordinance 

The Minneapolis City Council passed several amendments to its civil rights ordinance on May 1, 2025. These changes are in effect as of August 1, 2025. 

File a discrimination complaint

See the Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance