HF 4052

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/22/2024 02:56pm

A bill for an act
relating to licensed professionals; prohibiting licensed professionals from joining
or supporting hate or extremist groups or criminal gangs; providing for revocation,
suspension, or denial of a professional license for hate or extremist group or
criminal gang activity; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
214.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [214.003] HATE OR EXTREMIST GROUPS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) An attorney at law licensed in the state and a person
who holds a license issued by a board subject to this chapter may not join, support, advocate
for, maintain membership, or participate in the activities of:
new text end

new text begin (1) a hate or extremist group; or
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new text begin (2) a criminal gang as defined in section 609.229, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section does not apply when the conduct is sanctioned by the licensee's employer
as part of the licensee's official duties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Hate or extremist group" means a group that, as demonstrated
by its official statements or principles, the statements of its leaders or members, or its
activities:
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new text begin (1) promotes the use of threats, force, violence, or criminal activity:
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new text begin (i) against a local, state, or federal entity, or the officials of such an entity;
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new text begin (ii) to deprive, or attempt to deprive, individuals of their civil rights under the Minnesota
or United States Constitution; or
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new text begin (iii) to achieve goals that are political, religious, discriminatory, or ideological in nature;
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new text begin (2) promotes seditious activities; or
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new text begin (3) advocates for differences in the right to vote, speak, assemble, travel, or maintain
citizenship based on a person's perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin,
disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, public assistance status, or any protected
class as defined in Minnesota Statutes or federal law.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, advocacy, membership, or participation in a hate or
extremist group or criminal gang is demonstrated by:
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new text begin (1) dissemination of material that promotes:
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new text begin (i) the use of threats, force, violence, or criminal activity;
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new text begin (ii) seditious activities; or
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new text begin (iii) the objectives described in paragraph (a), clause (3);
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new text begin (2) engagement in cyber or social media posts, chats, forums, and other forms of
promotion of the group's activities;
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new text begin (3) display or use of insignia, colors, tattoos, hand signs, slogans, or codes associated
with the group;
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new text begin (4) direct financial or in-kind contributions to the group;
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new text begin (5) a physical or cyber presence in the group's events; or
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new text begin (6) other conduct that could reasonably be considered support, advocacy, or participation
in the group's activities.
new text end