SF 3347

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/10/2025 09:29 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; providing for the Minnesota clearance grant program;
increasing law enforcement agency solve rate of crimes involving nonfatal
shootings; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 299A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [299A.625] MINNESOTA CLEARANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section "nonfatal shooting clearance
rate" means the rate at which a law enforcement agency cleared by arrest or cleared by
exceptional means a nonfatal shooting offense. For purposes of this definition:
new text end

new text begin (1) "cleared by arrest" means that a law enforcement agency has arrested at least one
person as an offender, charged the person with the commission of an offense, and referred
the person to the court for prosecution; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "cleared by exceptional means" means that a law enforcement agency has identified
at least one person as an offender; gathered enough evidence to support an arrest, make a
charge, and refer the person to the court for prosecution; identified the person's exact location
for the person to be taken into custody immediately; and encountered a circumstance outside
the control of the law enforcement agency that prohibits the agency from arresting, charging,
and referring the person for prosecution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety must
establish the Minnesota clearance grant program to award grants to law enforcement agencies
to reduce violent crime by increasing the solve rate of crimes that involve the nonfatal
shooting of a firearm. The purpose of the program is to improve law enforcement strategies
and initiatives aimed at increasing nonfatal shooting clearance rates and engagement and
support for victims of violent crime. The program recognizes that nonfatal shooting offenses
often involve multiple jurisdictions and encourages interagency cooperative efforts to
maximize information sharing, resource sharing, and expertise.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application; grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) Applicants must submit an application in the
form and manner established by the commissioner. In awarding a grant, the commissioner
must give priority to a law enforcement agency:
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new text begin (1) with high rates of unsolved nonfatal shootings and inadequate staffing to investigate
these crimes;
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new text begin (2) that develops a plan to partner with other law enforcement agencies to maximize
interagency information sharing, resource sharing, and expertise;
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new text begin (3) that demonstrates a commitment to working with other government agencies to
improve clearance rates; and
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new text begin (4) that details a process for evaluating the effectiveness of both investigators and
investigative units, including but not limited to the development of specific goals and
performance metrics.
new text end

new text begin (b) Distribution of state funds or technical assistance are by contractual arrangement
between the commissioner and each recipient law enforcement agency. Terms of the contract
are negotiable each year. The state auditor must periodically audit all law enforcement
agencies receiving state grants. Nothing in this section prohibits a law enforcement agency
from receiving federal or local grants if grants become available.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of grants. new text end

new text begin A law enforcement agency awarded a grant under this section
must use the grant award:
new text end

new text begin (1) to improve investigatory resources, including but not limited to the hiring of personnel
assigned to investigate nonfatal shooting crimes or collect, process, and test forensic evidence;
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new text begin (2) for overtime for investigators and support staff;
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new text begin (3) to develop evidence-based policies, procedures, and training;
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new text begin (4) for technical assistance;
new text end

new text begin (5) for law enforcement equipment or technology, including but not limited to
investigative, evidence-processing, or forensic-testing equipment or technology;
new text end

new text begin (6) for information systems, with prioritization for projects that would improve data
integration and the ability to share information across and between law enforcement agencies,
prosecuting attorneys' offices, and crime laboratories;
new text end

new text begin (7) for hiring and retention of victim-witness coordinators; and
new text end

new text begin (8) to partner with hospital-based violence intervention programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin A law enforcement agency that receives a grant under this section must
submit biannually to the commissioner a report on activities carried out to reduce violent
crime and improve nonfatal shooting clearance rates during the preceding fiscal year,
including but not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of investigations initiated, the number of nonfatal shootings cleared, the
demographics of victims and offenders, and the impact on the nonfatal shooting clearance
rates in the jurisdiction where investigations were initiated;
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new text begin (2) the number of personnel hired or assigned to investigate nonfatal shootings,
disaggregated between sworn law enforcement officers and civilian or unsworn professional
staff;
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new text begin (3) the number of personnel hired or assigned to collect, process, and test forensic
evidence;
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new text begin (4) the number of personnel hired or assigned to provide victim services;
new text end

new text begin (5) the description of any training developed or implemented;
new text end

new text begin (6) the description of any new technology purchased or acquired;
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new text begin (7) how grant-funded activities have impacted clearance rates; and
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new text begin (8) the record management system, or equivalent, used to collect case information and
the system's ability to integrate with the record management systems of other agencies,
prosecuting attorney offices, and crime laboratories.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; MINNESOTA CLEARANCE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of public safety for the Minnesota clearance grant program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.625. The base appropriation for this program is $....... in
fiscal year 2028 and thereafter.
new text end