HF 1541

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/18/2011 09:54am

A bill for an act
relating to civil rights; requiring notices of civil rights status; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 243.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [243.205] NOTICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS STATUS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision. 1. new text end

new text begin Initial in-person notice. new text end

new text begin No later than July 1 or within 30 days,
whichever is later, after an individual is released from the custody of a state or local
correctional facility or sentenced to serve a period of probation following a conviction for
a felony offense, the chief executive officer of the facility, or an assigned probation officer,
shall meet personally with the individual to inform the individual of the individual's civil
rights status, including the right to vote. The corrections official or probation officer shall
provide a copy of the notice required in subdivision 2. At the time the notice is provided,
the recipient shall provide written acknowledgment of its receipt.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Annual written notice. new text end

new text begin (a) The chief executive officer of each state or
local correctional facility shall provide documented notice of voting rights status to each
individual serving a felony sentence who is under supervision or was under supervision at
any time during the prior year. The notice must be provided no later than July 1 of each
year. The notice required by this section must be provided to the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) individuals who are scheduled to remain on probation through the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November of that year;
new text end

new text begin (2) individuals who are scheduled to complete probation and be restored to civil
rights after the notice is sent, but before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of that year; and
new text end

new text begin (3) individuals who have completed probation and have had their civil rights
restored in the last year.
new text end

new text begin (b) A notice provided under this subdivision must include an e-mail address and
telephone number for the appropriate county corrections official or probation officer and
the appropriate county auditor.
new text end