Minnesota Fair Chance Access to Housing Act established, and penalties imposed.

HF 2283, the Minnesota Fair Chance Access to Housing Act, restricts landlords from denying rental applications based solely on an applicant's criminal record during initial screening. Landlords must disclose upfront if they consider criminal history and cannot evaluate it until after issuing a conditional offer. They may only consider specific serious offenses (like human trafficking, sexual assault, or recent felonies) after conducting an individualized assessment that weighs factors like the crime's severity, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Applicants denied housing must receive written notice within 24 hours explaining the reason and their right to request the landlord's supporting documents, with application fees refunded upon denial. The law directly affects landlords in Minnesota and applicants with criminal records seeking rental housing.