In one paragraph
Minnesota's HF 4445 would have required employers to give workers written notice before using an automated decision system (ADS) for employment-related decisions, with consent, human review, post-decision notice, appeal and records rules, enforced by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry and by private suits. It would have banned using ADS for facial, gait or emotion recognition. Introduced March 18, 2026 and never left committee.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill died, so it creates no obligations for employers in Minnesota.
Key provisions
- Would have added Minn. Stat. 181.9921-181.9927; ADS covers machine-learning, statistical, data-analytics or AI processes whose output assists or replaces human discretionary decisions; covers applicants, employees and independent contractors
- Pre-use notice at least 30 days before a new system (existing systems by September 1, 2026), filed with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 10 days; affirmative written consent from workers
- Employers could not use ADS to infer protected characteristics, emotional state or unrelated behavior, or for facial, gait or emotion recognition, and could not rely solely on ADS output
- Records kept 36 months and destroyed by 37 months; employers had to give workers copies of their data within seven days of a request
- Post-decision notice when the worker is told of the decision or within 15 business days, whichever is earlier (at least 30 days before discipline or termination takes effect); appeals within 30 days, answered within five business days by a human reviewer not involved in the decision
- Civil penalties of $1,000 per violation (notice sections) or $2,500 (records, employer-requirement and appeal sections); damages, including punitive damages, and fees through suits by the commissioner, attorney general or workers
- Companion SF 4689 was reported out of the Senate Labor and State and Local Government committees as amended in April 2026 and referred to Rules and Administration, but neither file passed a chamber
- Introduced March 18, 2026 and referred to committee; no further action before the Legislature adjourned
Latest legislative action
Mar 18, 2026. Introduction and first reading, referred to Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy; no further action before the 2025-2026 Legislature adjourned
Sponsors (showing 5 of 10)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Elkins | Primary |
| Gottfried | Primary |
| Morrison | Primary |
| Schomacker | Primary |
| Schultz | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error