§ 363A.26 — Exemption Based on Religious Association
Plain-Language Summary
Religious organizations and schools controlled by religious groups are exempt from many parts of the Human Rights Act, consistent with First Amendment protections. They may prefer members of their own religion in admissions, employment, housing, and services related to marriage ceremonies. This exemption does not apply to their non-religious business activities.
363A.26 EXEMPTION BASED ON RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION.
Nothing in this chapter prohibits any religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, or any institution organized for educational purposes that is operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, consistent with the protections or privileges of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and article I, section 16, of the Minnesota Constitution, including ministerial exceptions provided therein, from:
(1) limiting admission to or giving preference to persons of the same religion or denomination;
(2) taking any action with respect to education, employment, housing and real property, or use of facilities; or
(3) taking any action with respect to the provision of goods, services, facilities, or accommodations directly related to the solemnization or celebration of a civil marriage that is in violation of its religious beliefs.
This section shall not apply to secular business activities engaged in by the religious association, religious corporation, religious society, or any institution organized for educational purposes that is operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society that is not organized for private profit, the conduct of which is unrelated to the religious and educational purposes for which it is organized.
History:
1955 c 516 s 4; 1961 c 428 s 4; 1965 c 584 s 1; 1967 c 897 s 10,11; 1973 c 729 s 2; 1975 c 206 s 1; 1977 c 351 s 2-4; 1977 c 408 s 2; 1977 c 430 s 25 subd 1; 1978 c 649 s 4; 1980 c 355 s 3; 1980 c 509 s 143; 1980 c 531 s 3; 1982 c 492 s 2; 1982 c 526 art 2 s 16; 1983 c 276 s 5,6; 1983 c 301 s 198; 1984 c 608 s 3; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 75; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 23 s 2; 1987 c 129 s 1,2; 1988 c 660 s 2,3; 1989 c 280 s 4-8; 1990 c 567 s 2; 1992 c 527 s 11; 1993 c 22 s 3-6; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1996 c 431 s 1; 1997 c 239 art 12 s 2; 1998 c 291 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 2013 c 74 s 1; 2024 c 105 s 12
History: History: 1955 c 516 s 4; 1961 c 428 s 4; 1965 c 584 s 1; 1967 c 897 s 10,11; 1973 c 729 s 2; 1975 c 206 s 1; 1977 c 351 s 2-4; 1977 c 408 s 2; 1977 c 430 s 25 subd 1; 1978 c 649 s 4; 1980 c 355 s 3; 1980 c 509 s 143; 1980 c 531 s 3; 1982 c 492 s 2; 1982 c 526 art 2 s 16; 1983 c 276 s 5,6; 1983 c 301 s 198; 1984 c 608 s 3; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 75; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 23 s 2; 1987 c 129 s 1,2; 1988 c 660 s 2,3; 1989 c 280 s 4-8; 1990 c 567 s 2; 1992 c 527 s 11; 1993 c 22 s 3-6; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1996 c 431 s 1; 1997 c 239 art 12 s 2; 1998 c 291 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 2013 c 74 s 1; 2024 c 105 s 12