Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.
(b) "Service animal" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 28, section 36.104, as amended.
(c) "Support animal" means an animal that: (1) provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability; and (2) does not need to be trained to perform a specific disability-related task.
(d) "Tenant" means a current tenant or a prospective tenant.
(e) "Licensed professional" means a provider of care who is:
(1) a person licensed by the Board of Medical Practice under chapter 147;
(2) a physician assistant licensed under chapter 147A;
(3) a nurse, as defined in section 148.171, subdivision 9, licensed under chapter 148;
(4) a psychologist licensed under chapter 148;
(5) a mental health professional licensed under chapter 148B;
(6) a social worker licensed under chapter 148E;
(7) a counselor licensed under chapter 148F; or
(8) any professional listed in clauses (1) to (7) who holds a valid license in any other state, provided the professional has an existing treatment relationship with the tenant requesting a reasonable accommodation.
A licensed professional does not include any person who operates primarily to provide certification for a service or support animal.
(f) "Reasonable accommodation" means the granting of a waiver by a landlord of a no-pets or pet-fee policy for a person with a disability consistent with the Fair Housing Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 3601 to 3619, as amended, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, United States Code, title 29, section 701, as amended.
(g) "Disability" has the meaning given in section 363A.03, subdivision 12.
Subd. 2. Request for documentation permitted. (a) A landlord may require a tenant to provide supporting documentation for each service or support animal for which the tenant requests a reasonable accommodation under any provision of law. A landlord must not require supporting documentation from a tenant if the tenant's disability or disability-related need for a service or support animal is readily apparent or already known to the landlord.
(b) Upon a landlord's request, the tenant must provide supporting documentation from a licensed professional confirming the tenant's disability and the relationship between the tenant's disability and the need for a service or support animal. A landlord must not require the tenant to disclose or provide access to medical records or medical providers or provide any other information or documentation of a person's physical or mental disability.
Subd. 3. Additional fees or deposits prohibited. A landlord must not require a tenant with a reasonable accommodation under this section to pay an additional fee, charge, or deposit for the service or support animal. A tenant is liable to the landlord for any damage to the premises caused by the service or support animal.
Subd. 4. Prohibited conduct. A tenant must not, directly or indirectly through statements or conduct, knowingly:
(1) misrepresent themselves as a person with a disability that requires the use of a service or support animal; or
(2) provide fraudulent supporting documentation under this section.
Subd. 5. Penalty. If a tenant violates this section, the landlord may deny the tenant's rental application or request for a service or support animal. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an eviction action based on a breach of the lease.
1Sp2021 c 8 art 2 s 10
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 500 - 515B — Property And Property Interests
Chapter 504B — Landlord And Tenant
Section 504B.001 — Definitions.
Section 504B.101 — Distress For Rent.
Section 504B.111 — Written Lease Required; Penalty.
Section 504B.113 — Service And Support Animal Documentation.
Section 504B.115 — Tenant To Be Given Copy Of Lease.
Section 504B.116 — Prorated Rent Required.
Section 504B.118 — Receipt For Rent Paid In Cash.
Section 504B.121 — Tenant May Not Deny Title; Exception.
Section 504B.125 — Person In Possession Liable For Rent; Evidence.
Section 504B.131 — Rent Liability; Uninhabitable Buildings.
Section 504B.135 — Terminating Tenancy At Will.
Section 504B.141 — Urban Real Estate; Holding Over.
Section 504B.145 — Restriction On Automatic Renewals Of Leases.
Section 504B.146 — Lease Duration Notice.
Section 504B.147 — Time Period For Notice To Quit Or Rent Increase.
Section 504B.155 — Tenant Must Give Cold Weather Notice Before Vacation Of Building.
Section 504B.161 — Covenants Of Landlord Or Licensor.
Section 504B.165 — Unlawful Destruction; Damages.
Section 504B.171 — Covenant Of Landlord And Tenant Not To Allow Unlawful Activities.
Section 504B.172 — Recovery Of Attorney Fees.
Section 504B.173 — Applicant Screening Fee.
Section 504B.175 — Prelease Deposit.
Section 504B.181 — Landlord Or Agent Disclosure.
Section 504B.185 — Inspection; Notice.
Section 504B.195 — Disclosure Required For Outstanding Inspection And Condemnation Orders.
Section 504B.204 — Action For Rental Of Condemned Residential Premises.
Section 504B.205 — Residential Tenant's Right To Seek Police And Emergency Assistance.
Section 504B.206 — Right Of Victims Of Violence To Terminate Lease.
Section 504B.211 — Residential Tenant's Right To Privacy.
Section 504B.215 — Billing; Loss Of Services.
Section 504B.221 — Unlawful Termination Of Utilities.
Section 504B.225 — Intentional Ouster And Interruption Of Utilities; Misdemeanor.
Section 504B.231 — Damages For Ouster.
Section 504B.235 — Definitions.
Section 504B.241 — Residential Tenant Reports; Disclosure And Corrections.
Section 504B.245 — Tenant Report; Remedies.
Section 504B.251 — Recording Of Notice Of Cancellation Of Leases.
Section 504B.255 — Termination Notice Requirement For Federally Subsidized Housing.
Section 504B.261 — Pets In Subsidized Disability Accessible Rental Housing Units.
Section 504B.265 — Termination Of Lease Upon Death Of Tenant.
Section 504B.271 — Tenant's Personal Property Remaining In Premises.
Section 504B.275 — Attorney General's Statement; Distribution.
Section 504B.281 — Forcible Entry And Unlawful Detainer Prohibited.
Section 504B.285 — Eviction Actions; Grounds; Retaliation Defense; Combined Allegations.
Section 504B.291 — Eviction Action For Nonpayment; Redemption; Other Rights.
Section 504B.301 — Eviction Action For Unlawful Detention.
Section 504B.305 — Notice Of Seizure Provision.
Section 504B.311 — No Eviction Action If Tenant Holds Over For Three Years.
Section 504B.315 — Restrictions On Eviction Due To Familial Status.
Section 504B.321 — Complaint And Summons.
Section 504B.325 — Expedited Relief.
Section 504B.331 — Summons; How Served.
Section 504B.335 — Answer; Trial.
Section 504B.341 — Continuance Of Trial.
Section 504B.345 — Judgment; Execution.
Section 504B.351 — Failure Of Jury To Reach A Verdict.
Section 504B.355 — Form Of Verdict.
Section 504B.361 — Forms Of Summons And Writ.
Section 504B.365 — Execution Of The Writ Of Recovery Of Premises And Order To Vacate.
Section 504B.375 — Unlawful Exclusion Or Removal; Action For Recovery Of Possession.
Section 504B.381 — Emergency Tenant Remedies Action.
Section 504B.385 — Rent Escrow Action To Remedy Violations.
Section 504B.391 — Violations Of Building Repair Orders.
Section 504B.431 — Service Of Judgment.
Section 504B.435 — Landlord's Right To Collect Rent Suspended.
Section 504B.441 — Residential Tenant May Not Be Penalized For Complaint.
Section 504B.445 — Administrator.
Section 504B.451 — Receivership Revolving Loan Fund.
Section 504B.455 — Removal Of Administrator.
Section 504B.461 — Termination Of Administration.