SF 2729

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/15/2016 11:31am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by
bias; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [609.2295] CRIMES MOTIVATED BY BIAS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Crime. new text end

new text begin A person who commits a crime because of the victim's,
the property owner's, or another's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, disability as defined in section 363A.03, age, or national origin, is guilty of
a crime motivated by bias and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 2, unless
a greater penalty is provided elsewhere.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a
felony, the statutory maximum for the crime is five years longer than the statutory
maximum for the underlying crime.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a felony and the victim of
the crime is a child under the age of 18 years, the statutory maximum for the crime is ten
years longer than the statutory maximum for the underlying crime.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a gross misdemeanor, the
person is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three
years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a misdemeanor, the person
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2016, and applies to crimes
committed on or after that date.
new text end