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Non-Discrimination and Complaint/Request Procedures

Under federal law, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring that no person will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, or age in any federally funded Commerce program or activity and that no person will be discriminated against on the basis of sex in any federally funded Commerce education program or activity. The Minnesota Department of Commerce also prohibits discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities in all of its programs, services, and activities and will make reasonable modifications to ensure equal opportunity for access and participation.

Under state law, the Minnesota Department of Commerce prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation or status with regard to public assistance in any Commerce public service.

Statutory Authorities

Federal

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

State

  • The Minnesota Human Rights Act

Complaint/Request Procedures

Any person who believes they have been discriminated against the Minnesota Department of Commerce based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identify, or status with regard to public assistance is encouraged to submit a complaint to the Minnesota Department of Commerce within one year of the alleged discrimination. An internal investigation or other form of dispute resolution will be used to provide a prompt and fair resolution.

If the complaint is about a Commerce employee, please email Affirmative.Action.COMM@state.mn.us.

File a complaint of misconduct against a Commerce Fraud Bureau Officer by: 

Affirmative Action Officer / Civil Rights Coordinator
Minnesota Commerce Department
85 Seventh Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101 


Although persons are encouraged to file complaints with the Commerce before seeking resolution elsewhere, complaints may be submitted, as applicable, to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or the U.S. Department of the Interior.


Complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or activity in a Local Human Rights Commission may be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights within one year of the alleged discrimination and should be sent to:

Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Freeman Building
625 Robert Street North
Saint Paul MN 55155
Email:  info.MDHR@state.mn.us


Complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability under federal law may be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior within 180 days of the alleged discrimination and should be sent to:

Chief, Public Civil Rights
Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C. Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240

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