Department of Human Rights prohibited from maintaining a collection or database on incidents of protected speech.

The bill MN HF768 aims to prevent the Minnesota Department of Human Rights from keeping any records or databases that track incidents of protected speech. This means that the department would not be able to document or analyze cases where individuals express opinions or ideas that are legally protected. The bill is currently in the introduction stage and has not yet been voted on.

Supporters of MN HF768 argue that the bill is essential for protecting free speech rights. They believe that maintaining a database on protected speech could lead to censorship and a chilling effect on open dialogue. By prohibiting such collections, the bill upholds the principle that individuals should be free to express their views without fear of government scrutiny.

Critics of MN HF768 contend that the bill undermines the ability of the Department of Human Rights to monitor and address discrimination and hate speech. They argue that having a record of incidents related to protected speech is necessary to identify patterns of abuse and to protect vulnerable communities. By eliminating such a database, the bill could hinder efforts to promote equality and justice.