1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; requiring intent for the crimes of repeated harassing 
1.3 	conduct;amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 609.79, subdivision 1; 
1.4 	609.795, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, sections 504B.206, 
1.5 	subdivision 1; 609.749, subdivisions 2, 3, 8; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2018, 
1.6 	section 609.749, subdivision 1a; Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 
1.7 	609.749, subdivision 1.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 504B.206, subdivision 1, is 
1.10 	amended to read:
1.11 		Subdivision 1.Right to terminate; procedure. (a) A tenant to a residential lease may 
1.12 	terminate a lease agreement in the manner provided in this section without penalty or liability, 
1.13 	if the tenant or another authorized occupant fears imminent violence after being subjected 
1.14 	to:
1.15 	(1) domestic abuse, as that term is defined under section 518B.01, subdivision 2;
1.16 	(2) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451; or
1.17 	(3) harass, as that term is defined harassment under section 609.749, subdivision 1.
1.18 	(b) The tenant must provide signed and dated advance written notice to the landlord:
1.19 	(1) stating the tenant fears imminent violence from a person as indicated in a qualifying 
1.20 	document against the tenant or an authorized occupant if the tenant or authorized occupant 
1.21 	remains in the leased premises;
1.22 	(2) stating that the tenant needs to terminate the tenancy;
2.1 	(3) providing the date by which the tenant will vacate; and
2.2 	(4) providing written instructions for the disposition of any remaining personal property 
2.3 	in accordance with section 504B.271.
2.4 	(c) The written notice must be delivered before the termination of the tenancy by mail, 
2.5 	fax, or in person, and be accompanied by a qualifying document.
2.6 	(d) The landlord may request that the tenant disclose the name of the perpetrator and, if 
2.7 	a request is made, inform the tenant that the landlord seeks disclosure to protect other tenants 
2.8 	in the building. The tenant may decline to provide the name of the perpetrator for safety 
2.9 	reasons. Disclosure shall not be a precondition of terminating the lease.
2.10 	(e) The tenancy terminates, including the right of possession of the premises, as provided 
2.11 	in subdivision 3.

2.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2020.

2.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 609.749, subdivision 2, is amended 
2.14 	to read:
2.15 		Subd. 2.Harassment crimes. (a) As used in this subdivision, the following terms have 
2.16 	the meanings given:
2.17 	(1) "family or household members" has the meaning given in section 518B.01, subdivision 
2.18 	2, paragraph (b);
2.19 	(2) "personal information" has the meaning given in section 617.261, subdivision 7, 
2.20 	paragraph (f); and
2.21 	(3) "sexual act" has the meaning given in section 617.261, subdivision 7, paragraph (g).
2.22 	(b) A person who harasses another by committing commits any of the following acts 
2.23 	listed in paragraph (c) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person, with the intent to kill, 
2.24 	injure, harass, or intimidate another person:
2.25 	(1) places the other person in reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm;
2.26 	(2) places the person in reasonable fear that the person's family or household members 
2.27 	will be subject to substantial bodily harm; or
2.28 	(3) causes, attempts to cause, or would reasonably be expected to cause substantial 
2.29 	emotional distress to the other person.
2.30 	(c) A person commits harassment under this section if the person:
3.1 	(1) directly or indirectly, or through third parties, manifests a purpose or intent to injure 
3.2 	the person, property, or rights of another by the commission of an unlawful act;
3.3 	(2) follows, monitors, or pursues another, whether in person or through any available 
3.4 	technological or other means;
3.5 	(3) returns to the property of another if the actor is without claim of right to the property 
3.6 	or consent of one with authority to consent;
3.7 	(4) repeatedly makes telephone calls, sends text messages, or induces a victim to make 
3.8 	telephone calls to the actor, whether or not conversation ensues;
3.9 	(5) makes or causes the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring;
3.10 	(6) repeatedly mails or delivers or causes the delivery by any means, including 
3.11 	electronically, of letters, telegrams, messages, packages, through assistive devices for people 
3.12 	with vision impairments or hearing loss, or any communication made through any available 
3.13 	technologies or other objects;
3.14 	(7) knowingly makes false allegations against a peace officer concerning the officer's 
3.15 	performance of official duties with intent to influence or tamper with the officer's 
3.16 	performance of official duties; or
3.17 	(8) uses another's personal information, without consent, to invite, encourage, or solicit 
3.18 	a third party to engage in a sexual act with the person.
3.19 	For purposes of this clause, "personal information" and "sexual act" have the meanings 
3.20 	given in section 617.261, subdivision 7.

3.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2020, and applies to crimes 
3.22 	committed on or after that date.

3.23 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 609.749, subdivision 3, is amended 
3.24 	to read:
3.25 		Subd. 3.Aggravated violations. (a) A person who commits any of the following acts 
3.26 	is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or 
3.27 	to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both:
3.28 	(1) commits any offense described in subdivision 2 because of the victim's or another's 
3.29 	actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability as defined in 
3.30 	section 363A.03, age, or national origin;
3.31 	(2) commits any offense described in subdivision 2 by falsely impersonating another;
4.1 	(3) commits any offense described in subdivision 2 and possesses a dangerous weapon 
4.2 	at the time of the offense;
4.3 	(4) harasses another, as defined in subdivision 1, commits any offense described in 
4.4 	subdivision 2 with intent to influence or otherwise tamper with a juror or a judicial proceeding 
4.5 	or with intent to retaliate against a judicial officer, as defined in section 609.415, or a 
4.6 	prosecutor, defense attorney, or officer of the court, because of that person's performance 
4.7 	of official duties in connection with a judicial proceeding; or
4.8 	(5) commits any offense described in subdivision 2 against a victim under the age of 
4.9 	18, if the actor is more than 36 months older than the victim.
4.10 	(b) A person who commits any offense described in subdivision 2 against a victim under 
4.11 	the age of 18, if the actor is more than 36 months older than the victim, and the act is 
4.12 	committed with sexual or aggressive intent, is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to 
4.13 	imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, 
4.14 	or both.

4.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2020, and applies to crimes 
4.16 	committed on or after that date.

4.17 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 609.749, subdivision 8, is amended 
4.18 	to read:
4.19 		Subd. 8.Harassment; stalking; firearms. (a) When a person is convicted of harassment 
4.20 	or stalking a crime under this section and the court determines that the person used a firearm 
4.21 	in any way during commission of the crime, the court may order that the person is prohibited 
4.22 	from possessing any type of firearm for any period longer than three years or for the 
4.23 	remainder of the person's life. A person who violates this paragraph is guilty of a gross 
4.24 	misdemeanor. At the time of the conviction, the court shall inform the defendant for how 
4.25 	long the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and that it is a gross misdemeanor 
4.26 	to violate this paragraph. The failure of the court to provide this information to a defendant 
4.27 	does not affect the applicability of the firearm possession prohibition or the gross 
4.28 	misdemeanor penalty to that defendant.
4.29 	(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a), when a person is convicted of 
4.30 	harassment or stalking a crime under this section, the court shall inform the defendant that 
4.31 	the defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm for three years from the date of 
4.32 	conviction and that it is a gross misdemeanor offense to violate this prohibition. The failure 
5.1 	of the court to provide this information to a defendant does not affect the applicability of 
5.2 	the firearm possession prohibition or the gross misdemeanor penalty to that defendant.
5.3 	(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a), a person is not entitled to possess a 
5.4 	pistol if the person has been convicted after August 1, 1996, of harassment or stalking a 
5.5 	crime under this section, or to possess a firearm if the person has been convicted on or after 
5.6 	August 1, 2014, of harassment or stalking a crime under this section, unless three years 
5.7 	have elapsed from the date of conviction and, during that time, the person has not been 
5.8 	convicted of any other violation of this section. Property rights may not be abated but access 
5.9 	may be restricted by the courts. A person who possesses a firearm in violation of this 
5.10 	paragraph is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
5.11 	(d) If the court determines that a person convicted of harassment or stalking a crime
5.12 	under this section owns or possesses a firearm and used it in any way during the commission 
5.13 	of the crime, it shall order that the firearm be summarily forfeited under section 609.5316, 
5.14 	subdivision 3.
5.15 	(e) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (d) and (g), when a person is convicted 
5.16 	of harassment or stalking a crime under this section, the court shall order the defendant to 
5.17 	transfer any firearms that the person possesses, within three business days, to a federally 
5.18 	licensed firearms dealer, a law enforcement agency, or a third party who may lawfully 
5.19 	receive them. The transfer may be permanent or temporary. A temporary firearm transfer 
5.20 	only entitles the receiving party to possess the firearm. A temporary transfer does not transfer 
5.21 	ownership or title. A defendant may not transfer firearms to a third party who resides with 
5.22 	the defendant. If a defendant makes a temporary transfer, a federally licensed firearms dealer 
5.23 	or law enforcement agency may charge the defendant a reasonable fee to store the person's 
5.24 	firearms and may establish policies for disposal of abandoned firearms, provided such 
5.25 	policies require that the person be notified via certified mail prior to disposal of abandoned 
5.26 	firearms. For temporary firearms transfers under this paragraph, a law enforcement agency, 
5.27 	federally licensed firearms dealer, or third party shall exercise due care to preserve the 
5.28 	quality and function of the transferred firearms and shall return the transferred firearms to 
5.29 	the person upon request after the expiration of the prohibiting time period imposed under 
5.30 	this subdivision, provided the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms 
5.31 	under state or federal law. The return of temporarily transferred firearms to a defendant 
5.32 	shall comply with state and federal law. If a defendant permanently transfers the defendant's 
5.33 	firearms to a law enforcement agency, the agency is not required to compensate the defendant 
5.34 	and may charge the defendant a reasonable processing fee. A law enforcement agency is 
6.1 	not required to accept a person's firearm under this paragraph. The court shall order that the 
6.2 	person surrender all permits to carry and purchase firearms to the sheriff.
6.3 	(f) A defendant who is ordered to transfer firearms under paragraph (e) must file proof 
6.4 	of transfer as provided for in this paragraph. If the transfer is made to a third party, the third 
6.5 	party must sign an affidavit under oath before a notary public either acknowledging that 
6.6 	the defendant permanently transferred the defendant's firearms to the third party or agreeing 
6.7 	to temporarily store the defendant's firearms until such time as the defendant is legally 
6.8 	permitted to possess firearms. The affidavit shall indicate the serial number, make, and 
6.9 	model of all firearms transferred by the defendant to the third party. The third party shall 
6.10 	acknowledge in the affidavit that the third party may be held criminally and civilly 
6.11 	responsible under section 624.7144 if the defendant gains access to a transferred firearm 
6.12 	while the firearm is in the custody of the third party. If the transfer is to a law enforcement 
6.13 	agency or federally licensed firearms dealer, the law enforcement agency or federally 
6.14 	licensed firearms dealer shall provide proof of transfer to the defendant. The proof of transfer 
6.15 	must specify whether the firearms were permanently or temporarily transferred and include 
6.16 	the name of the defendant, date of transfer, and the serial number, make, and model of all 
6.17 	transferred firearms. The defendant shall provide the court with a signed and notarized 
6.18 	affidavit or proof of transfer as described in this section within two business days of the 
6.19 	firearms transfer. The court shall seal affidavits and proofs of transfer filed pursuant to this 
6.20 	paragraph.
6.21 	(g) When a person is convicted of harassment or stalking a crime under this section, the 
6.22 	court shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence if the person poses an imminent 
6.23 	risk of causing another person substantial bodily harm. Upon a finding of imminent risk, 
6.24 	the court shall order that the local law enforcement agency take immediate possession of 
6.25 	all firearms in the person's possession. The local law enforcement agency shall exercise due 
6.26 	care to preserve the quality and function of the defendant's firearms and shall return the 
6.27 	firearms to the person upon request after the expiration of the prohibiting time period, 
6.28 	provided the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms under state or 
6.29 	federal law. The local law enforcement agency shall, upon written notice from the person, 
6.30 	transfer the firearms to a federally licensed firearms dealer or a third party who may lawfully 
6.31 	receive them. Before a local law enforcement agency transfers a firearm under this paragraph, 
6.32 	the agency shall require the third party or federally licensed firearms dealer receiving the 
6.33 	firearm to submit an affidavit or proof of transfer that complies with the requirements for 
6.34 	affidavits or proofs of transfer established in paragraph (f). The agency shall file all affidavits 
6.35 	or proofs of transfer received with the court within two business days of the transfer. The 
7.1 	court shall seal all affidavits or proofs of transfer filed pursuant to this paragraph. A federally 
7.2 	licensed firearms dealer or third party who accepts a firearm transfer pursuant to this 
7.3 	paragraph shall comply with paragraphs (e) and (f) as if accepting transfer from the defendant. 
7.4 	If the law enforcement agency does not receive written notice from the defendant within 
7.5 	three business days, the agency may charge a reasonable fee to store the defendant's firearms. 
7.6 	A law enforcement agency may establish policies for disposal of abandoned firearms, 
7.7 	provided such policies require that the person be notified via certified mail prior to disposal 
7.8 	of abandoned firearms.

7.9 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 609.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.10 		Subdivision 1.Crime defined; obscene call. Whoever,
7.11 	(1) by means of a telephone,
7.12 	(i) makes any comment, request, suggestion or proposal which is obscene, lewd, or 
7.13 	lascivious,
7.14 	(ii) with the intent to harass or intimidate another person, repeatedly makes telephone 
7.15 	calls, whether or not conversation ensues, with intent to abuse, disturb, or cause distress
7.16 	and thereby places the other person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury; 
7.17 	places the person in reasonable fear that the person's family or household members will be 
7.18 	subject to death or serious bodily injury; or causes, attempts to cause, or would reasonably 
7.19 	be expected to cause substantial emotional distress to the other person, or
7.20 	(iii) with the intent to harass or intimidate any person at the called or notified number, 
7.21 	makes or causes the telephone of another to repeatedly or continuously to ring, with intent 
7.22 	to abuse, disturb, or cause distress in any person at the called number or receive electronic 
7.23 	notifications and thereby places the other person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily 
7.24 	injury; places the person in reasonable fear that the person's family or household members 
7.25 	will be subject to death or serious bodily injury; or causes, attempts to cause, or would 
7.26 	reasonably be expected to cause substantial emotional distress to the other person, or
7.27 	(2) having control of a telephone, knowingly permits it to be used for any purpose 
7.28 	prohibited by this section,
7.29 	shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

7.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2020, and applies to crimes 
7.31 	committed on or after that date.

8.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 609.795, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.2 		Subdivision 1.Misdemeanors. Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a 
8.3 	misdemeanor:
8.4 	(1) knowing that the actor does not have the consent of either the sender or the addressee, 
8.5 	intentionally opens any sealed letter, telegram, or package addressed to another; or
8.6 	(2) knowing that a sealed letter, telegram, or package has been opened without the 
8.7 	consent of either the sender or addressee, intentionally publishes any of the contents thereof; 
8.8 	or
8.9 	(3) with the intent to abuse, disturb, or cause distress harass or intimidate another person, 
8.10 	repeatedly mails or delivers or causes the delivery by any means, including electronically, 
8.11 	of letters, telegrams, or packages and thereby places the other person in reasonable fear of 
8.12 	death or serious bodily injury; places the person in reasonable fear that the person's family 
8.13 	or household members will be subject to death or serious bodily injury; or causes, attempts 
8.14 	to cause, or would reasonably be expected to cause substantial emotional distress to the 
8.15 	other person.

8.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2020, and applies to crimes 
8.17 	committed on or after that date.

8.18 	Sec. 7. REPEALER.
 8.19 	Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 609.749, subdivision 1a, is repealed.
8.20 	Minnesota Statutes 2019 Supplement, section 609.749, subdivision 1, is repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 20-7881 

609.749 HARASSMENT; STALKING; PENALTIES.Subdivision 1.Definition. 
As used in this section, "harass" means to engage in conduct which the actor knows or has reason to know would cause the victim under the circumstances to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated, and causes this reaction on the part of the victim regardless of the relationship between the actor and victim. 

Subd. 1a.No proof of specific intent required. 
In a prosecution under this section, the state is not required to prove that the actor intended to cause the victim to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated, or except as otherwise provided in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4), or paragraph (b), that the actor intended to cause any other result.