HF2594 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Protections related to interviews of child abuse victims clarified to apply to all recordings; changes to terms used in statutes that punish creation, distribution, and possession of sexually explicit materials involving children proposed; and conforming changes made.
Related bill: SF2825
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to strengthen protections for child abuse victims, especially concerning the handling and access to recordings from interviews of these victims. It also seeks to revise and clarify legislation around the creation, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Main Provisions
Interview Recordings of Child Abuse Victims: The bill clarifies that protections in place for interviews of child abuse victims apply to all forms of recordings. This includes restrictions on accessing, copying, and distributing videotape recordings of victims unless a court order permits it.
Restrictions on Videotapes: Changes are proposed to ensure that recordings of child victims cannot be released without judicial oversight. This provides privacy and deterrence against unauthorized use.
Terminology Updates: The bill updates language across various statutes, replacing terms like "pornographic work" with "child sexual abuse material" to more accurately describe and target the illegal materials.
Penalties for Violations: The bill describes penalties for those involved in the distribution or creation of child sexual abuse materials. It enhances sentences for repeat offenders and specific circumstances, such as if the offender is a registered predatory offender.
Conditional Release Terms: Establishes conditional release terms for offenders, specifying increased durations for those with prior convictions, ensuring extended oversight after prison sentences.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Court Order Requirement for Sensitive Recordings: Strengthens the requirement for a court order to access sensitive recordings of child victims, regardless of prior consent.
- Updated Legal Terminology: Introduces more precise terminology for harmful materials involving minors, aligning with the focus on protecting minors from exploitation.
- Enhanced Scrutiny and Penalties: Increased scrutiny and penalties for possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials, particularly targeting repeat offenders and severe cases involving very young minors.
Relevant Terms
- Child abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Videotape recordings
- Child sexual abuse material
- Court order
- Privacy protection
- Repeat offender
- Conditional release
- Predatory offender
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
| March 25, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"A new provision for the presiding officer to consider the provisions of section 611A.90 subdivision 2 paragraph b."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This bill clarifies the discoverability of non-public data under section 13.03, subdivision 6.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "13.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This bill amends section 13.821 regarding videotapes recordings of child abuse victims.",
"modified": [
"Definitions of physical and sexual abuse extended beyond persons responsible for the child's care."
]
},
"citation": "13.821",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amendments to section 144.296 regarding copies of videotapes recordings of child abuse victims.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "144.296",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amendments made to section 246B.04, subdivision 2 regarding ban on obscene material.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "246B.04",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New penalties relating to possession or distribution of child sexual abuse material."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Modification of penalties for identity-related offenses under section 609.527, subdivision 3.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "609.527",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New definitions for physical and sexual abuse not limited to certain individuals."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amendments to section 611A.90 regarding the release of videotapes recordings of child abuse victims.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "611A.90",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Introduced definitions and penalties regarding child sexual abuse material."
],
"removed": [
"Previous term 'pornographic work' replaced with 'child sexual abuse material'."
],
"summary": "Amendment of section 617.246 involving the use of minors in sexual performance.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "617.246",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New definitions aligning with those in section 617.246."
],
"removed": [
"Previous terminology of 'pornographic work'."
],
"summary": "Updates to section 617.247 concerning the possession of child sexual abuse images.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "617.247",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New conditions imposed on the use of videotaped recordings by defendants."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Section 634.35 is amended to address conditions of disclosure for videotaped recordings of child victims.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "634.35",
"subdivision": ""
}
]