Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to propose an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would eliminate any allowance for slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. This aligns with efforts to remove outdated and inhumane practices from the legal framework.

Main Provisions

• Constitutional Amendment Proposal: The bill proposes amending Article I, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution. This section would be revised to explicitly prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude under any circumstances, including as punishment for a crime.
• Submission to Voters: The amendment will be presented to voters for approval at the general election in 2026. Voters will answer "Yes" or "No" to the question of whether the constitution should be amended to prohibit such practices.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The current language of the Minnesota Constitution allows for involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime, similar to the exception found in the U.S. Constitution's 13th Amendment. This amendment seeks to remove that exception, thereby fully prohibiting any form of slavery or involuntary servitude, regardless of criminal conviction.

Relevant Terms

• Constitutional Amendment
• Slavery
• Involuntary Servitude
• Criminal Punishment
• Minnesota Constitution Amendment
• Rights and Privileges
• Voter Submission