MN HF1567

Requires the commissioner to provide respondents with names of witnesses, documents, and other information submitted by the charging party during conciliation or alternative dispute resolution, regardless of whether a probable cause determination has been made.

Allows administrative law judges to award fees and other expenses to respondents if they are found not to have engaged in an unfair discriminatory practice and the department's position was not substantially justified, following the standards in sections 15.471 to 15.474.

Requires courts to award fees and other expenses to respondents in cases brought by the department if the respondent is found not to have engaged in an unfair discriminatory practice and the department's position was not substantially justified.

Maintains existing provisions allowing respondents found to have engaged in unfair discriminatory practices to be ordered to reimburse the department and attorney general for litigation and hearing costs, unless payment would impose financial hardship.

Specifies that reimbursed funds must be credited to a special revenue account and appropriated to the commissioner of human rights for enforcement of the Minnesota Human Rights Act and for paying fees and expenses awarded to respondents.