HF7 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Public safety; various provisions modified relating to data held by law enforcement agencies; agency bail or bond notice; sex trafficking minimum sentences; reason for dismissing charges; liability and vicarious liability; assaulting a police officer penalty; penalties increased for obstructing trunk highway, airport, or transit traffic; tracking device placement, requirements, and expanded uses; criminal penalties; and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF1363

AI Generated Summary

The bill presented, authored by Novotny and Niska, addresses several aspects of public safety and law enforcement operations in Minnesota. Key provisions include:

  1. Public Access to Bail Data: The bill would make it mandatory for law enforcement agencies to disclose information about individuals or entities who post bail.

  2. Notification of Posted Bail: Law enforcement agencies must be notified when bail or bond is posted for someone in their custody.

  3. Sex Trafficking Sentences: Establishes mandatory minimum sentences for certain sex trafficking offenses.

  4. Registration for Sexual Offenders: Individuals under stays of adjudication for criminal sexual conduct must register as predatory offenders.

  5. Sentencing Guidelines Database: The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission must keep a publicly accessible database, and any proposed changes to these guidelines require legislative approval.

  6. Dismissal Reporting: County attorneys must document reasons for dismissing charges and share this information on a publicly accessible website, with annual reports to the legislature.

  7. Trespass on Critical Infrastructure: Creates strict liabilities for trespassing on or damaging critical infrastructure, and criminalizes the act of recruiting or educating individuals for such activities.

  8. Enhanced Penalties: Introduces higher penalties for assaulting police officers, fleeing in motor vehicles, being in a stolen motor vehicle, and obstructing major traffic routes like highways, airports, or transit pathways.

  9. Use of Tracking Devices by Law Enforcement: Expands the authorized use of tracking devices on fleeing vehicles and removes the requirement that a vehicle be unoccupied for a tracking device to be attached.

The bill specifies amendments to existing Minnesota Statutes and proposes new codifications for handling and reporting various law enforcement and public safety issues. The focus is on increasing transparency, accountability, and tougher measures against offenses involving law enforcement and critical infrastructures.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 06, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
February 10, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
February 13, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law
February 13, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
February 17, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
February 20, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
February 20, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
February 24, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
March 17, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toWays and Means