In 1967 the legislature created a Human Rights Board. At that time the board had 24 members, at least three of whom had to be attorneys.
In 1977, the board was redesignated an advisory committee, and its substantive powers to hear appeals were eliminated. At that time the size of the group was reduced from 24 to 15. In a series of meetings, Governor Perpich agreed the main purpose of the Committee for the next three to four months was to study itself and define its role in the total human rights statewide picture. The Committee was also to determine recommendations to the 1978 Legislature concerning human rights legislation.
In 1983 the group was renamed a task force, its existence was made permissive, and language relating to qualifications of members was stricken (Laws of Minnesota 1983, chapter 260, section 60).