HF1575

HF1575 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Criminal felony murder and aiding and abetting murder provisions modified, retroactive relief for aiding and abetting murder convictions authorized, and report required.

Related bill: SF206

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota’s felony murder and aiding and abetting murder laws. Key provisions include:

Modification of Criminal Liability: It clarifies that individuals can only be held criminally liable for aiding and abetting murder if they intentionally assisted or conspired with the primary offender with the specific intent to cause death.
Stricter Criteria for Liability in Felony Murder Cases: A person can only be convicted of aiding and abetting felony murder if they were a major participant in the underlying felony and acted with extreme indifference to human life.
Definition of Major Participant: The bill defines major participants as those who:
- Used or provided a deadly weapon where its use was foreseeable.
- Caused substantial bodily harm during the felony.
- Coerced or hired someone to commit acts leading to a foreseeable death.
- Prevented someone from stopping the death through physical action or threats.
Retroactive Relief: The bill allows individuals previously convicted under these provisions to seek relief based on the updated standards.
Revival of a Task Force: The legislation reinstates a task force to examine aiding and abetting felony murder laws and requires a report on its findings.

This bill aims to prevent individuals from being convicted of murder solely due to their presence at a crime scene or minor involvement in an underlying felony without intent to kill.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
February 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies exceptions where a person cannot be held criminally liable unless they intentionally aided or participated."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies criminal liabilities related to murder under section 609.05, subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": [
        "Refines definitions and conditions of 'major participant' and its implications in cases of aiding and abetting murder."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adjustments made to section 609.185 concerning liability for aiding and abetting murder.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies conditions under which a person may not be held liable for murder committed by another, unless certain intent and participation criteria are met."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.185",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies provisions under section 609.19, subdivisions 1 and 2, regarding murder.",
      "modified": [
        "Outlines criteria for establishing liability for aiding in second-degree murder, emphasizing major participation and extreme indifference to life."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.19",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 1, 2"
  }
]