ST. PAUL – State Rep. Matt Bliss, R-Pennington, said Republicans have taken a major step toward restoring religious freedom which Minnesota Democrats stripped from faith-based organizations last year.
The House on Tuesday approved legislation pertaining to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) to re-establish protections for religious entities against discrimination claims. The bill unanimously passed the Senate earlier in the day and, with the House also providing overwhelming approval, it is now on Gov. Tim Walz’s desk for enactment.
“Tuesday’s vote was a good first step in protecting religious liberties for all Minnesotans,” Bliss said. “While I am happy to see this important legislation head to Gov. Walz’s desk, I am still troubled and confused as to why Democrats supported this unconstitutional change in the first place. Religious liberty is enshrined in our state and federal constitutions, and it is disturbing that so many were willing to infringe on this foundational right.”
Bliss said this move was necessary due to MHRA legislation that Democrats enacted in 2023, that stripped religious protections that had been in place since 1993. Before last year, when gender identity was included (or subsumed) within the MHRA definition of sexual orientation, the still-existing religious exemption for sexual orientation covered gender identity claims as well. When a new, separate definition of gender identity was created last year, there was no corresponding religious exemption added.
Bliss continued, “Moving forward, I remain concerned about problematic language in a proposed constitutional amendment that could be making its way to the House Floor in the weeks ahead that would strike an even more significant blow to religious liberty and freedom of conscience for faith-based organizations. So, while Tuesday was a positive step, we need to remain vigilant and continue to stand strong for religious freedom in Minnesota.”
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