--- [ ![acquia optimize product page](/sites/default/files/styles/product_header_icon/public/media/image/2024-04/Monsido%20by%20Acquia%20Logo.png?itok=665xcojC) Acquia Web Governance ](/products/acquia-web-governance) - [Features](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [All Features](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [Accessibility](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/web-accessibility) - [Browser Extension](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/browser-extension) - [Heartbeat](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/heartbeat) - [Policies](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/policy) - [Quality Assurance](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/quality-assurance) - [SEO](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/seo) - [Statistics](/products/acquia-web-governance/features/statistics) - [Add Ons](/products/acquia-web-governance/features) - [Consent Manager](/products/acquia-web-governance/consent-manager) - [Data Privacy](/products/acquia-web-governance/data-privacy) - [Heatmaps](/products/acquia-web-governance/heatmaps) - [PageAssist™](/products/acquia-web-governance/pageassist) - [PageCorrect™](/products/acquia-web-governance/pagecorrect) - [Performance](/products/acquia-web-governance/performance) - [Integrations](/products/acquia-web-governance/integrations) - [Use Cases](/products/acquia-web-governance/use-cases) - [Resources](/resources?product%5B0%5D=432141) - [Blog](https://www.acquia.com/blog/series/accessibility-and-inclusion) - [Customer Stories](https://www.acquia.com/resources/case-studies?industry=&product=432141&page=0) - [Intro to Web Accessibility](/web-accessibility) - [Overview of Accessibility Legislation](/accessibility-legislation-overview) - [Benchmark Reports](/products/acquia-web-governance/resources/benchmarks) - [Tools](/products/acquia-web-governance/tools) - [Support and Training](/products/acquia-web-governance/support) - [Pricing](/products/acquia-web-governance/pricing) [Get a Free Scan](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan) [Login](https://login.monsido.com/) ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Web Accessibility Legislation 3. Web Accessibility Legislation in Minnesota **Web Accessibility** # **Legislation in Minnesota** See how your website stacks up compared to web accessibility legislation in Minnesota. [Scan My Site](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan "Get a Free Scan") ![Illustration of the profile of the state of Minnesota with accessibility and compliance graphics](/sites/default/files/styles/feature_component_50x50_desktop/public/media/image/2024-04/Minnesota_Legisation%20Graphic.png?itok=6MOXWCSZ) ## An Overview of Legislation in Minnesota On May 22, 2009, Governor Pawlenty signed the [Accessible Technology Bill (H.F. 1744)](https://mn.gov/admin/star/accessibility/government/ "Accessible Technology Bill (H.F. 1744)"). This law was created to address issues of inclusive design for all state electronic and information technology, and required state government to adopt standards based on Section 508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). [Minnesota’s state accessibility standard](https://mn.gov/mmb/assets/Stnd_State_Accessibility_tcm1059-232671.pdf "Minnesota’s state accessibility standard") came into effect in October 2013 and calls for ‘‘all impacted State information systems, tools, and information content’’ to comply with WCAG 2.0 level AA and Section 508 web accessibility standards. The current version became effective June 14, 2018, and applies to all software or digital products created, used, managed, or updated by Minnesota state executive branch agencies. Other state-run organizations are also encouraged to meet this standard. ## Disclaimer The information in this article is made available by Acquia Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates and is for informational purposes only so as to provide its customers with a general understanding of current legal developments. It should not be construed as providing specific legal advice, and you acknowledge that no attorney/client relationship exists between you or any third party and Acquia Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction. ## **What You Need To Know About Web Accessibility in Minnesota** --- - ### **What is the Minnesota State Accessibility Standard?** The original version of the Minnesota web accessibility standard became effective in October 2013 and aimed to improve the accessibility and usability of information technology products and services for all government end-users in the State of Minnesota. The latest version became effective in June 2018 and incorporates the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 and [Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973](http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/ "Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973"). - ### **Are there any other requirements related to Minnesota’s Accessibility Laws?** State agencies/divisions that are aware of the procurement or creation of a product or service that is known to not be accessible must file an exception that formally acknowledges this. Once a notice of exception has been made, the Office of Accessibility will sign, and return, the exception to certify receipt, and file a copy. - ### **Who do Minnesota’s accessibility standards apply to?** [State of Minnesota Accessibility Standard](https://mn.gov/mnit/assets/Stnd_State_Accessibility_tcm38-61585.pdf "State of Minnesota Accessibility Standard") - Requires all state information systems, tools and information content to comply with [WCAG 2.0](http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG/ "WCAG 2.0") Level AA compliance and with selected provisions of [Section 508](https://www.section508.gov/ "Section 508"). [MN Statues 363.43](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=363A.43 "MN Statues 363.43") - requires that any continuing education or professional development course, offering, material or activity administered by the state be made available in an accessible format to individuals with disabilities. - ### **What are the penalties for non-conformance?** State agencies that fail to keep accessible records or other documents produced or modified after January 1, 2013, will face a penalty of $500 per violation plus reasonable attorney fees and costs. The same penalty applies to any continuing education or professional development course, offering, material or activity administered by the state that is not made available in an accessible format to individuals with disabilities. ## A Few Landmark Cases in Minnesota ‎ United States **McCourt V. Carnahan** On May 7, 2020, a complaint was filed against Jennifer Carnahan of the Minnesota Republican Party alleging that their website was not accessible. [More on the Case](https://www.accessibility.com/digital-lawsuits/noah-jennifer-2020-05-07) United States **Minnesota Courts Block ADA Title III ‘‘Drive-By’’ Suits** In 2018, Minnesota federal courts issued two decisions dismissing so-called ‘‘drive-by’’ disability access lawsuits. [More on the Case](https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/just-keep-driving-minnesota-courts-continue-to-block-ada-title-iii-drive-by-suits/) United States **McCourt V. Carver County** A disability advocate with autism sued Carver County, claiming their website violated the ADA. [More on the Case](https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/07/minnesota-websites-sued-lawsuit-disability-advocates/) ## Resource to Help You Get Started - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-PDF%20Accessibility.png?h=10d202d3&itok=mRKAj7pk) Blog Article 10 min ###### PDF Accessibility — And How To Create Them Let's take a look at why PDF accessibility is important, the benefits of accessible PDFs, and how you can make them accessible. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/pdf-accessibility) - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-Website%20Accessibility%20Testing.png?h=10d202d3&itok=97pbE4nk) Blog Article 10 min ###### Website Accessibility Testing: Offering the Best User Experience Web accessibility testing is an aspect of usability testing conducted to see if your website can be used by people with disabilities. Learn more. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/accessibility-testing) - [Image ![](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2024-10/Blog%20Graphic-Accessibility%20and%20Inclusion-12%20Common%20Web%20Accessibility%20Issues%20for%20the%20Visually%20Impaired.png?h=10d202d3&itok=8l1veVwD) Blog Article 11 min ###### 12 Common Web Accessibility Issues for Visual Impairment Visual disability is one of the most common disabilities among children and adults. Learn how they can affect a user's experience on the web. Accessibility & Inclusion Accessibility and Inclusion ](/blog/accessibility-issues-visual-impairment) Make Your Website Better ##### Find out how to make your website optimization process efficient and effective. [Get a Free Scan](/products/acquia-web-governance/get-scan)