Minneapolis Expands Civil Rights Protections For Formerly Incarcerated People

Minneapolis Expands Civil Rights Protections For Formerly Incarcerated People

City ordinance now prohibits discrimination based on criminal history, height, weight, and housing status

By MinneapoliMedia Staff
Published August 5, 2025

The City of Minneapolis has taken a landmark step in advancing equity and second chances by expanding its civil rights ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on criminal history. The updated ordinance, which took effect August 1, also includes new protections against discrimination based on height, weight, and housing status.

The Minneapolis City Council passed the amendments unanimously, signaling a strong citywide commitment to advancing civil and human rights for all residents—including those who have been historically excluded from housing, employment, and education opportunities due to their past involvement with the criminal legal system.

“A lot of us had issues with getting housing, getting employment, credit—whatever it might be—but all of it was subjected to our criminal history,” said Maurice Ward, founder and CEO of Justice Impacted Individuals Voting Effectively (JIIVE). “It frustrates you to a point where you just want to go back because it’s easier in prison.”

Ward, who was formerly incarcerated, now advocates for justice-impacted individuals through JIIVE, an advocacy group dedicated to promoting equity and opportunity for those re-entering society.

“When did it become okay to discriminate against an individual who has done their time?” Ward asked. “Why is that fair?”

According to Ward, the changes to Minneapolis’s ordinance aren’t just about fairness—they’re about public safety and community well-being.

“It’s crime prevention, it’s safety, it’s everything, because I feel as though 99% of the people coming home want to do good and they just want that opportunity,” he said. “Having access to start over is the key to moving forward.”

What the Ordinance Change Means

Under the revised civil rights ordinance:

• It is now illegal in Minneapolis to discriminate against someone based on their criminal history, height, weight, or housing status.
• The city has streamlined its discrimination complaint process, including simplifying subpoena procedures for public hearings.
• A 90-day deadline has been established for reviewing appeals of case decisions and issuing orders—previously, there was no deadline, leaving cases in limbo.

This change makes Minneapolis one of a small but growing number of jurisdictions across the country that are codifying protections for people impacted by the criminal legal system. Nationally, more than 70 million Americans have some form of criminal record, which can act as a barrier to jobs, housing, and full participation in society—even long after they’ve served their sentences.

However, the ordinance balances civil rights with public safety. Employers still retain the right to withdraw a job offer or terminate employment if the person’s criminal history is reasonably related to their ability, capacity, or fitness required for the position.

Looking Forward

Minneapolis’s decision reflects a broader shift in how cities across the country are reimagining justice, reentry, and the right to a second chance. Advocates like Ward believe that by removing unnecessary barriers, communities become stronger, safer, and more inclusive.

“I was once the person who messed it up. I wanted to be [the] person that fixed it,” Ward said.

As Minneapolis implements these new protections, city leaders and community organizations will be watching closely to ensure they result in real, equitable outcomes—especially for those who have long been denied a fair shot at rebuilding their lives.

MinneapoliMedia