The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to ban discrimination based on criminal record, housing status, height and weight. The new ordinance will go into effect Aug. 1.

One result of this new ordinance is that employers and schools in Minneapolis won’t be allowed to reject applicants based on a previous arrest, conviction or incarceration.

Council member Robin Wonsley noted in the meeting that Minneapolis is the third city to pass such protections. Back in 2022, Atlanta approved a similar ordinance after a campaign led by formerly incarcerated people.

Denise Ruben was instrumental in leading that campaign in Atlanta. She traveled to Minneapolis for the city council meeting and joined Minnesota Now to talk about how the ordinance has had an impact in Atlanta.