Minnesota House Bill HF952

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/26/23

Caption

Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules review required for compliance with Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Impact

If enacted, HF952 would necessitate amendments to various state statutes that contain language or requirements based on sex-specific distinctions. The bill assigns the revisor of statutes, in collaboration with Senate and House research departments, the task of drafting up a corrective bill to be presented in the 2024 legislative session. This effort is anticipated to streamline Minnesota's legal landscape by removing outdated or discriminatory provisions, ultimately reflecting a commitment to uphold and enforce equal rights under state law.

Summary

House File 952 (HF952) is a legislative proposal aimed at reviewing existing Minnesota Statutes and Rules to ensure compliance with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution. The bill mandates a comprehensive examination of sex-specific language and treatments in state laws that may conflict with the provisions of the ERA. Its goal is to align state legislation with the federal constitutional mandate ensuring equal rights regardless of sex, thereby promoting gender equality within Minnesota's legal frameworks.

Contention

While HF952 is generally seen as a progressive step towards gender equality, it may face opposition from legislators or advocacy groups wary of overhauls in established statutory language. Critics might express concerns regarding the implications of broad amendments, including potential challenges in creating universally applicable gender-neutral language. Additionally, there may be discussions surrounding the practicality of implementing such changes and the extent to which all relevant statutes require modification to ensure compliance.