Frequently Asked Questions About the Minnesota Legislature
Special Needs Access
What is the Legislature's policy for assisting persons with special needs?
The Minnesota Legislature is committed to complying with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and supports the goal that individuals with disabilities shall not be excluded from participating in or be denied the benefits of any program, service, or activity offered by the Legislature. Effective communication is a necessary step in meeting that goal. Thus, the Legislature welcomes comments and suggestions from the public on services that will improve communication between the Legislature and individuals with special needs. Please direct comments to Legislative Coordinating Commission, Room 85 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. See the Accessibility page for information on the legislature's website accessibility.
Does the Legislature provide access to public hearings?
Senate and House of Representatives hearing rooms, the Senate west gallery and the House of Representatives gallery are accessible to individuals using wheelchairs. Both the Capitol Building and the State Office Building have designated parking and entrance ramps to provide easy access to the buildings. If individuals require assistance, contact the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms at (651) 296-1119 for help in the Capitol Building or the House Sergeant-at-Arms at (651) 296-4860 for help in the State Office Building. A wheelchair accessible public access computer for using the Legislative Web site is available in the House Index Office, 211 State Capitol and in the Legislative Reference Library, 645 State Office Building.
Are there wheelchair services?
Both the Senate and House of Representatives have access to a wheelchair for use by people with disabilities within the Capitol or State Office Building. Advance notice is required to insure that the wheelchair is available when needed. Call the Capitol Information Desk at (651) 296-3962 for the Capitol Building or the House Sergeant-at-Arms at (651) 296-4860 for the State Office Building.
What television coverage is provided?
The Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate produce and distribute unedited television coverage of all House and Senate floor sessions, select committee hearings, press conferences, and other issue-oriented programming. Programming is broadcast to Minnesota residents weekdays during the legislative session from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with extended evening and weekend coverage available for debates on high-profile issues. All programming broadcast is closed-captioned.
All House and Senate television programming is Web cast live over the Internet. The live Web cast service allows viewers to watch additional coverage not provided on the television channels or to watch extended evening coverage. In addition, all television programming is archived and made available on the House and Senate Web sites.
Are there services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
The Senate, the House of Representatives and the Legislative Coordinating Commission provide access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Senate TTY number is (651) 296-0250; the House can be reached via Minnesota Relay service at 711 or (800) 627-3529 (TTY). The TTY telecommunications service and Minnesota Relay service allow deaf or hard of hearing individuals to communicate with Senate Index staff and with House Public Information Services staff about bill information and legislators. In addition, a public access TTY pay telephone is located near the Capitol Information Desk on the first floor of the Capitol Building.
- Minnesota Relay Service. Minnesota Relay Service is a communications service that links deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, and hearing people via the telephone. The service, which is operated by USA Relay, allows a person who is deaf or hard of hearing or who does not use speech, to contact a Communications Assistant (CA) via TTY. The CA then reads the TTY user's words aloud to the voice-user and types the voice-user's words to the TTY user. The CA's will pass conversations along but will not interfere or advise users. All calls are confidential. The 24-hour relay service is provided at no cost to callers except for long distance calls. The TTY/voice/ASCII number is 1-800-627-3529 or dial 711.
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Sign Language Interpreters. In order to provide accessibility for meetings with legislators, legislative committee hearings, and House and Senate floor sessions, the Legislature contracts with Communication Services for the Deaf to provide legislative sign language interpreting services. Interpreting services are also available for hearings or meetings with legislators in greater Minnesota. To request legislative interpreting services, you may call 651-224-6548; if you live in greater Minnesota, you can call 1-877-456-7589 (V/TTY). Please make your request at least 24 hours before the service is needed. You may also request legislative interpreting services from the committee administrator or committee legislative assistant that is planning the committee you want to attend.
You may also request legislative interpreting services by contacting the Legislative Coordinating Commission at 651-296-9002, at 651-296-1121 or at 651-296-0099. - Closed Captioning Services For persons who need closed captioning services, you can contact the Legislative Coordinating Commission at 651-296-9002, at 651-296-1121 or at 651-296-0099.
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Sound Reinforcement Systems The Minnesota Senate has installed sound reinforcement systems for use in Capitol rooms 15, 107, 112, 123, 125, and the Senate chamber. Senate receivers may be signed out during normal business hours from the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, room G-1, Capitol Building. The systems, for the exclusive use of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, are available for the duration of a particular meeting or are to be returned immediately following the meeting. For meetings lasting beyond normal business hours, receivers are to be returned to the committee staff. Call the Sergeant-at-Arms at (651) 296-1119 (TTY (651) 296-0250) for further information.
The Minnesota House has installed sound reinforcement systems in the ten hearing rooms in the State Office Building and in the House Chamber. House receivers may be signed out during normal business hours from the House Sergeant-at-Arms, room 190, State Office Building, and the Chief Clerk's Office, room 211, State Capitol. The systems, for the exclusive use of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, are available for the duration of a particular meeting and are to be returned immediately following the meeting. For meetings lasting beyond normal business hours, receivers are to be returned to the committee staff. Call the House Sergeant-at-Arms Office at (651) 296-4860 or the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or (800) 627-3529 (TTY).
Is there anything for kids and young adults on this Web site? Are there resources for students and teachers?
The Youth Pages have information on state symbols, famous Minnesotans, the legislative process, and more, along with puzzles, homework help, and tips on getting involved.