HF 1810

Introduction - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010)

Posted on 02/09/2010 01:55 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to human rights; requiring posting of notices related to human trafficking
at establishments that sell alcoholic beverages at retail and certain lodging
establishments that have been involved in prostitution-related activity; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 617.87; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 340A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [340A.5055] POSTING OF CERTAIN NOTICES REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin (a) A retail licensee shall display a sign containing the following notice in English
and in Spanish:
new text end

new text begin "WARNING: Obtaining forced labor or services is a crime under Minnesota
law. Call the national human trafficking hotline: [phone]. You may remain
anonymous."
new text end

new text begin (b) The sign must be at least 8.5 inches high and 11 inches wide and displayed in a
conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public and employees of the permit or license
holder. The English notice must cover approximately two-thirds of the sign, and the
Spanish notice must cover approximately one-third of the sign.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 617.87, is amended to read:

617.87 RELEASE OF PROPERTY.

If, after an order of abatement has been entered, the owner appears and pays the
costs of the action and files a bond in an amount determined by the court, but not to
exceed $50,000, conditioned that the owner will immediately abate the nuisance for a
period of one year, the court may, if satisfied of the owner's good faith, order the release of
the building or portion of it which is subject to the order of abatement. new text begin If the building
or portion of it that is subject to the order of abatement is a hotel, motel, or similar
establishment that rents overnight lodging to the public and the nuisance was prostitution
or prostitution-related activity that involved sex trafficking, as defined in section 609.321,
subdivision 7a, the release must require the owner to post a conspicuous notice in each
unit and portion of the building that was subject to the order of abatement that includes an
operating toll-free telephone number of a nationally recognized information and referral
hotline for victims of human trafficking. new text end If the premises are released, for each day during
the term of the bond that the owner knowingly permits any part of the premises to be used
for any activity which was the basis of the abatement order new text begin or fails to post the notice, if
required new text end , the owner shall forfeit $1,000 under the bond. Forfeiture under the bond does
not relieve the owner from prosecution for contempt. Release of the property pursuant to
this section does not release it from an injunction issued under section 617.83 or any other
judgment, penalty, lien, or liability to which it may be subject by law.