SF 3872

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/27/2026 10:01 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; providing research data protection for data on individuals;
providing for certain terminology and reference updates for domestic abuse
programs and battered women; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 13.69,
subdivision 1; 13.6905, by adding subdivisions; 13.871, subdivision 5; 116L.362,
subdivision 1; 119A.37, subdivision 4; 142G.12, subdivision 2; 142G.53; 203B.06,
subdivision 3; 203B.11, subdivision 1; 256D.02, subdivision 12a; 256G.02,
subdivision 6; 257.75, subdivision 6; 260E.02, subdivision 1; 299A.85, subdivision
4; 299A.90, subdivision 3; 518B.02, subdivision 2; 609.605, subdivision 2;
609.7495, subdivision 1; 611A.31, subdivision 5; 629.72, subdivision 2a; Minnesota
Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 120B.22, subdivision 1; 201.061, subdivision
3; 256G.03, subdivision 2; 609.101, subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2024, sections 611A.201, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5; 611A.37, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 8; 611A.371; 611A.372; 611A.373.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.69, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Classifications.

(a) The following government data of the Department
of Public Safety are private data:

(1) medical data on driving instructors, licensed drivers, and applicants for parking
certificates and special license plates issued to physically disabled persons;

(2) other data on holders of a disability certificate under section 169.345, except that (i)
data that are not medical data may be released to law enforcement agencies, and (ii) data
necessary for enforcement of sections 169.345 and 169.346 may be released to parking
enforcement employees or parking enforcement agents of statutory or home rule charter
cities and towns;

(3) Social Security numbers in driver's license and motor vehicle registration records,
except that Social Security numbers must be provided to the Department of Revenue for
purposes of tax administration, the Department of Labor and Industry for purposes of
workers' compensation administration and enforcement, the judicial branch for purposes of
debt collection, and the Department of Natural Resources for purposes of license application
administration, and except that the last four digits of the Social Security number must be
provided to the Department of Human Services for purposes of recovery of Minnesota health
care program benefits paid;

(4) data on persons listed as standby or temporary custodians under section 171.07,
subdivision 11, except that the data must be released to:

(i) law enforcement agencies for the purpose of verifying that an individual is a designated
caregiver; or

(ii) law enforcement agencies who state that the license holder is unable to communicate
at that time and that the information is necessary for notifying the designated caregiver of
the need to care for a child of the license holder; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(5) race and ethnicity data on driver's license holders and identification card holders
under section 171.06, subdivision 3. The Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic
Safety is authorized to receive race and ethnicity data from Driver and Vehicle Services for
only the purposes of research, evaluation, and public reports deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (6) data on individuals created, collected, received, stored, used, or maintained by the
Department of Public Safety for the purposes of research.
new text end

The department may release the Social Security number only as provided in clause (3) and
must not sell or otherwise provide individual Social Security numbers or lists of Social
Security numbers for any other purpose.

new text begin (b) For the purpose of paragraph (a), clause (6), "research" has the meaning given in
Code of Federal Regulations, title 28, sections 22.2(c) and 46.102(d), and includes but is
not limited to data collection through surveys, focus groups, and interviews for the purpose
of advancing knowledge in a particular area, including program evaluation.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end The following government data of the Department of Public Safety are confidential
data: data concerning an individual's driving ability when that data is received from a member
of the individual's family.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.6905, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 39. new text end

new text begin Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. new text end

new text begin Data related to
victim and family support are governed by section 299A.85, subdivision 4, paragraph (a),
clause (14).
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.6905, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 40. new text end

new text begin Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. new text end

new text begin Data related
to victim and family support are governed by section 299A.90, subdivision 3, paragraph
(a), clause (22).
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.871, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Crime victims.

(a) Crime victim notice of release. Data on crime victims who
request notice of an offender's release are classified under section 611A.06.

(b) Sex offender HIV tests. Results of HIV tests of sex offenders under section 611A.19,
subdivision 2, are classified under that section.

deleted text begin (c) Battered women. Data on battered women maintained by grantees for emergency
shelter and support services for battered women are governed by section 611A.32, subdivision
5.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Victims of domestic abuse. Data on deleted text begin battered women and deleted text end victims of domestic
abuse maintained by grantees deleted text begin and recipients of per diem payments deleted text end for emergency shelter
deleted text begin for battered women deleted text end and support services deleted text begin for battered women and victims of domestic abuse deleted text end
are governed by sections 611A.32, subdivision 5, and 611A.371, subdivision 3.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end Personal history; internal auditing. Certain personal history and internal auditing
data is classified by section 611A.46.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Crime victim claims for reimbursement. Claims and supporting documents
filed by crime victims seeking reimbursement are classified under section 611A.57,
subdivision 6.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Crime Victim Oversight Act. Data maintained by the commissioner of public
safety under the Crime Victim Oversight Act are classified under section 611A.74,
subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end Victim identity data. Data relating to the identity of the victims of certain criminal
sexual conduct is governed by section 609.3471.

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end Victim notification. Data on victims requesting a notice of release of an arrested
or detained person are classified under sections 629.72 and 629.73.

deleted text begin (j) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end Immigration status certification. Disclosure of the immigration status of a crime
victim and the classification of that data is governed by section 611A.95, subdivision 4.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116L.362, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

(a) The commissioner shall make grants to eligible
organizations for programs to provide education and training services to targeted youth.
The purpose of these programs is to provide specialized training and work experience for
targeted youth who have not been served effectively by the current educational system. The
programs are to include a work experience component with work projects that result in the
rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of (1) residential units for the homeless; (2)
improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental health of residential units and
other green jobs purposes; (3) facilities to support community garden projects; or (4)
education, social service, or health facilities which are owned by a public agency or a private
nonprofit organization.

(b) Eligible facilities must principally provide services to homeless or low income
individuals and families, and include the following:

(1) Head Start or day care centers, including playhouses or similar incidental structures;

(2) homeless, deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse new text end , or other shelters;

(3) transitional housing and tiny houses;

(4) youth or senior citizen centers;

(5) community health centers; and

(6) community garden facilities.

Two or more eligible organizations may jointly apply for a grant. The commissioner
shall administer the grant program.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 119A.37, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Additional services.

Each parenting time center may provide parenting and
child development classes, and offer support groups to participating custodial parents and
hold regular classes designed to assist children who have experienced domestic violence
and abuse. Each parenting time center must have available an individual knowledgeable
about or experienced in the provision of services to deleted text begin battered women and deleted text end domestic abuse
victims on its staff, its board of directors, or otherwise available to it for consultation.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 120B.22, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:

Subdivision 1.

Violence prevention curriculum.

(a) The commissioner of education,
in consultation with the commissioners of health and human services, state minority councils,
deleted text begin battered women's and deleted text end domestic abuse programs deleted text begin , battered women's deleted text end new text begin and new text end shelters, sexual
assault centers, new text begin and new text end representatives of religious communities, deleted text begin and the assistant commissioner
of the Office of Drug Policy and Violence Prevention, deleted text end shall assist districts on request in
developing or implementing a violence prevention program for students in kindergarten to
grade 12 that can be integrated into existing curriculum. The purpose of the program is to
help students learn how to resolve conflicts within their families and communities in
nonviolent, effective ways.

(b) Each district is encouraged to integrate into its existing curriculum a program for
violence prevention that includes at least:

(1) a comprehensive, accurate, and age appropriate curriculum on violence prevention,
nonviolent conflict resolution, sexual, racial, and cultural harassment, self-protection, and
student hazing that promotes equality, respect, understanding, effective communication,
individual responsibility, thoughtful decision making, positive conflict resolution, useful
coping skills, critical thinking, listening and watching skills, and personal safety;

(2) planning materials, guidelines, and other accurate information on preventing physical
and emotional violence, identifying and reducing the incidence of sexual, racial, and cultural
harassment, and reducing child abuse, including physical abuse, and neglect;

(3) a special parent education component of early childhood family education programs
to prevent child abuse and neglect and to promote positive parenting skills, giving priority
to services and outreach programs for at-risk families;

(4) involvement of parents and other community members, including the clergy, business
representatives, civic leaders, local elected officials, law enforcement officials, and the
county attorney;

(5) collaboration with local community services, agencies, and organizations that assist
in violence intervention or prevention, including family-based services, crisis services, life
management skills services, case coordination services, mental health services, and early
intervention services;

(6) collaboration among districts and service cooperatives;

(7) targeting early adolescents for prevention efforts, especially early adolescents whose
personal circumstances may lead to violent or harassing behavior;

(8) opportunities for teachers to receive in-service training or attend other programs on
strategies or curriculum designed to assist students in intervening in or preventing violence
in school and at home; and

(9) administrative policies that reflect, and a staff that models, nonviolent behaviors that
do not display or condone sexual, racial, or cultural harassment or student hazing.

(c) The department may provide assistance at a neutral site to a nonpublic school
participating in a district's program.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

30-day residency requirement.

An assistance unit is considered to have
established residency in this state only when a child or caregiver has resided in this state
for at least 30 consecutive days with the intention of making the person's home here and
not for any temporary purpose. The birth of a child in Minnesota to a member of the
assistance unit does not automatically establish the residency in this state under this
subdivision of the other members of the assistance unit. Time spent in a shelter for deleted text begin battered
women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end shall count toward satisfying the 30-day residency
requirement.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.53, is amended to read:

142G.53 FAMILY VIOLENCE WAIVER CRITERIA.

(a) In order to qualify for a family violence waiver, an individual must provide
documentation of past or current family violence which may prevent the individual from
participating in certain employment activities.

(b) The following items may be considered acceptable documentation or verification of
family violence:

(1) police, government agency, or court records;

(2) a statement from deleted text begin a battered women's deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse new text end shelter staff with knowledge
of the circumstances;

(3) a statement from a sexual assault or domestic violence advocate with knowledge of
the circumstances; or

(4) a statement from professionals from whom the applicant or recipient has sought
assistance for the abuse.

(c) A claim of family violence may also be documented by a sworn statement from the
applicant or participant and a sworn statement from any other person with knowledge of
the circumstances or credible evidence that supports the client's statement.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:

Subd. 3.

Election day registration.

(a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register
or update a registration on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the
precinct in which the individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application,
making an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of
residence. An individual may prove residence for purposes of registering or updating a
registration by:

(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to
section 171.07;

(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;

(3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address
in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or

(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee who provides
proof that they are employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and
vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge
vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of
the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of
residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. An election judge
may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any individual who appears in the
precinct where the election judge is working unless the election judge personally knows the
individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may
sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply
to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state shall
provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for whom
a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space for the
maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For
each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the individual: (i) is
registered to vote in the precinct or is an employee of a residential facility in the precinct,
(ii) personally knows that the voter is a resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the
statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature,
telephone number, and address.

The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be
attached to the voter registration application.

(b) The secretary of state must publish guidance for residential facilities and residential
facility employees on the vouching process and the requirements of this subdivision.

(c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48,
subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under
section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision
5; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a
veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under
chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a
residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for
persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services
under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section
256I.03, subdivision 10a; deleted text begin a shelter for battered women deleted text end new text begin emergency shelter services for
domestic abuse victims new text end as defined in section deleted text begin 611A.37, subdivision 4 deleted text end new text begin 611A.31, subdivision
3 new text end ; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide
temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider operates a
residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or a facility
where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section 245A.02,
subdivision 6c.

(d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of
registering or updating a registration by:

(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or

(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents
listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.

(e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge
responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Delivery of ballots.

(a) The county auditor, municipal clerk, school district
clerk, or full-time clerk of any city or town administering an election pursuant to section
203B.05, shall mail absentee ballots to voters on the permanent absentee ballot list pursuant
to section 203B.04, subdivision 5, on the following timelines:

(1) except as otherwise provided by this section, at least 46 days before each regularly
scheduled primary and general election and each special primary and special election;

(2) as soon as practicable for a special election held pursuant to section 204D.19,
subdivisions 2 and 3; and

(3) at least 30 days before a town general election held in March.

(b) The commissioner of corrections must provide the secretary of state with a list of
the names and mailing addresses of state adult correctional facilities. An application for an
absentee ballot that provides an address included on the list provided by the commissioner
of corrections must not be accepted and an absentee ballot must not be provided to the
applicant. The county auditor or municipal clerk must promptly transmit a copy of the
application to the county attorney. The Department of Corrections must implement procedures
to ensure that absentee ballots issued under this chapter are not received or mailed by
offenders incarcerated at state adult correctional facilities.

(c) If an application for absentee ballots is accepted at a time when absentee ballots are
not yet available for distribution, the county auditor, or municipal clerk accepting the
application shall file it and as soon as absentee ballots are available for distribution shall
mail them to the address specified in the application. If an application for absentee ballots
is accepted when absentee ballots are available for distribution, the county auditor or
municipal clerk accepting the application shall promptly:

(1) mail the ballots to the voter whose signature appears on the application if the
application is submitted by mail and does not request commercial shipping under clause
(2);

(2) ship the ballots to the voter using a commercial shipper requested by the voter at the
voter's expense;

(3) deliver the absentee ballots directly to the voter if the application is submitted in
person; or

(4) deliver the absentee ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope to an agent who has been
designated to bring the ballots, as provided in section 203B.11, subdivision 4, to a voter
who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or
who is disabled, or who is a patient in a health care facility, a resident of an assisted living
facility licensed under chapter 144G, a participant in a residential program for adults licensed
under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a resident of a shelter for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic
abuse victims new text end as defined in section deleted text begin 611A.37, subdivision 4 deleted text end new text begin 611A.31, subdivision 2 new text end .

(d) If an application does not indicate the election for which absentee ballots are sought,
the county auditor or municipal clerk shall mail or deliver only the ballots for the next
election occurring after receipt of the application. Only one set of ballots may be mailed,
shipped, or delivered to an applicant for any election, except as provided in section 203B.121,
subdivision 2, or when a replacement ballot has been requested by the voter for a ballot that
has been spoiled or lost in transit.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

(a) Each full-time municipal clerk or school district clerk
who has authority under section 203B.05 to administer absentee voting laws must designate
election judges to deliver absentee ballots in accordance with this section. The county auditor
must also designate election judges to perform the duties in this section. A ballot may be
delivered only to an eligible voter who is a temporary or permanent resident or patient in
one of the following facilities located in the municipality in which the voter maintains
residence: a health care facility, hospital, or veterans home operated by the board of directors
of the Minnesota veterans homes under chapter 198. The ballots must be delivered by two
election judges, each of whom is affiliated with a different major political party. When the
election judges deliver or return ballots as provided in this section, they must travel together
in the same vehicle. Both election judges must be present when an applicant completes the
certificate of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as
provided in section 204C.15. The election judges must deposit the return envelopes containing
the marked absentee ballots in a sealed container and return them to the clerk on the same
day that they are delivered and marked.

(b) At the discretion of a full-time municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county auditor,
absentee ballots may be delivered in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph (a) to a
shelter for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end as defined in section deleted text begin 611A.37, subdivision
4 deleted text end new text begin 611A.31, subdivision 2 new text end , or to an assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.02, subdivision 12a, is amended to read:

Subd. 12a.

Resident.

(a) For purposes of eligibility for general assistance, a person must
be a resident of this state.

(b) A "resident" is a person living in the state for at least 30 days with the intention of
making the person's home here and not for any temporary purpose. Time spent in a shelter
for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end shall count toward satisfying the 30-day residency
requirement. All applicants for these programs are required to demonstrate the requisite
intent and can do so in any of the following ways:

(1) by showing that the applicant maintains a residence at a verified address, other than
a place of public accommodation. An applicant may verify a residence address by presenting
a valid state driver's license, a state identification card, a voter registration card, a rent
receipt, a statement by the landlord, apartment manager, or homeowner verifying that the
individual is residing at the address, or other form of verification approved by the
commissioner; or

(2) by verifying residence according to Minnesota Rules, part 9500.1219, subpart 3,
item C.

(c) For general assistance, a county shall waive the 30-day residency requirement where
unusual hardship would result from denial of general assistance. For purposes of this
subdivision, "unusual hardship" means the applicant is without shelter or is without available
resources for food.

The county agency must report to the commissioner within 30 days on any waiver granted
under this section. The county shall not deny an application solely because the applicant
does not meet at least one of the criteria in this subdivision, but shall continue to process
the application and leave the application pending until the residency requirement is met or
until eligibility or ineligibility is established.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (c), the following definitions apply (1) "metropolitan
statistical area" is as defined by the United States Census Bureau; (2) "shelter" includes any
shelter that is located within the metropolitan statistical area containing the county and for
which the applicant is eligible, provided the applicant does not have to travel more than 20
miles to reach the shelter and has access to transportation to the shelter. Clause (2) does not
apply to counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan statistical area.

(e) Migrant workers as defined in section 142G.02 are exempt from the residency
requirements of this section, provided the migrant worker provides verification that the
migrant family worked in this state within the last 12 months and earned at least $1,000 in
gross wages during the time the migrant worker worked in this state.

(f) For purposes of eligibility for emergency general assistance, the 30-day residency
requirement under this section shall not be waived.

(g) If any provision of this subdivision is enjoined from implementation or found
unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall
remain valid and shall be given full effect.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256G.02, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Excluded time.

"Excluded time" means:

(1) any period an applicant spends in a hospital, sanitarium, nursing home, shelter other
than an emergency shelter, halfway house, foster home, community residential setting
licensed under chapter 245D, semi-independent living domicile or services program,
residential facility offering care, board and lodging facility or other institution for the
hospitalization or care of human beings, as defined in section 144.50, 144A.01, or 245A.02,
subdivision 14; maternity home, deleted text begin battered women's deleted text end shelter new text begin for domestic abuse victims new text end , or
correctional facility; or any facility based on an emergency hold under section 253B.05,
subdivisions 1 and 2;

(2) any period an applicant spends on a placement basis in a training and habilitation
program, including: a rehabilitation facility or work or employment program as defined in
section 268A.01; semi-independent living services provided under section 252.275, and
chapter 245D; or day training and habilitation programs;

(3) any period an applicant is receiving assisted living services, integrated community
supports, or day support services; and

(4) any placement for a person with an indeterminate commitment, including independent
living.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256G.03, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

No durational test.

Except as otherwise provided in sections 142G.12; 142G.78;
256B.056, subdivision 1; and 256D.02, subdivision 12a, for purposes of this chapter, no
waiting period is required before securing county or state residence. A person cannot,
however, gain residence while physically present in an excluded time facility unless otherwise
specified in this chapter or in a federal regulation controlling a federally funded human
service; children, youth, and families; or direct care and treatment program. Interstate
migrants who enter a shelter for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end directly from
another state can gain residency while in the facility provided the person can provide
documentation that the person is a victim of domestic abuse and the county determines that
the placement is appropriate.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 257.75, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Paternity educational materials.

The commissioner of children, youth, and
families shall prepare educational materials for new and prospective parents that describe
the benefits and effects of establishing paternity. The materials must include a description
and comparison of the procedures for establishment of paternity through a recognition of
parentage under this section and an adjudication of paternity under sections 257.51 to 257.74.
The commissioner shall consider the use of innovative audio or visual approaches to the
presentation of the materials to facilitate understanding and presentation. In preparing the
materials, the commissioner shall consult with child advocates and support workers, deleted text begin battered
women's advocates and deleted text end advocates for domestic abuse victims, social service providers,
educators, attorneys, hospital representatives, and people who work with parents in making
decisions related to paternity. The commissioner shall consult with representatives of
communities of color. On and after January 1, 1994, the commissioner shall make the
materials available without cost to hospitals, requesting agencies, and other persons for
distribution to new parents.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260E.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment of team.

A county shall establish a multidisciplinary
child protection team that may include but is not limited to the director of the local welfare
agency or designees, the county attorney or designees, the county sheriff or designees,
representatives of health and education, representatives of mental health, representatives of
agencies providing specialized services or responding to youth who experience or are at
risk of experiencing sex or labor trafficking or sexual exploitation, or other appropriate
human services, children's services, or community-based agencies, and parent groups. As
used in this section, a "community-based agency" may include, but is not limited to, schools,
social services agencies, family service and mental health collaboratives, children's advocacy
centers, early childhood and family education programs, Head Start, or other agencies
serving children and families. A member of the team must be designated as the lead person
of the team responsible for the planning process to develop standards for the team's activities
with deleted text begin battered women's and deleted text end domestic abuse programs and services.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 299A.85, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Duties.

new text begin (a) new text end The office has the following duties:

(1) advocate in the legislature for legislation that will facilitate the accomplishment of
the mandates identified in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force report;

(2) advocate for state agencies to take actions to facilitate the accomplishment of the
mandates identified in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force report;

(3) develop recommendations for legislative and agency actions to address injustice in
the criminal justice system's response to the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous
relatives;

(4) facilitate research to refine the mandates in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women Task Force report and to assess the potential efficacy, feasibility, and impact of the
recommendations;

(5) develop tools and processes to evaluate the implementation and impact of the efforts
of the office;

(6) track and collect Minnesota data on missing and murdered indigenous women,
children, and relatives, and provide statistics upon public or legislative inquiry;

(7) facilitate technical assistance for local and Tribal law enforcement agencies during
active missing and murdered Indigenous relatives cases;

(8) conduct case reviews and report on the results of case reviews for the following types
of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives cases: cold cases for missing Indigenous
people and death investigation review for cases of Indigenous people ruled as suicide or
overdose under suspicious circumstances;

(9) conduct case reviews of the prosecution and sentencing for cases where a perpetrator
committed a violent or exploitative crime against an Indigenous person. These case reviews
should identify those cases where the perpetrator is a repeat offender;

(10) prepare draft legislation as necessary to allow the office access to the data required
for the office to conduct the reviews required in this section and advocate for passage of
that legislation;

(11) review sentencing guidelines for missing and murdered Indigenous women-related
crimes, recommend changes if needed, and advocate for consistent implementation of the
guidelines across Minnesota courts;

(12) develop and maintain communication with relevant divisions in the Department of
Public Safety regarding any cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous relatives and
on procedures for investigating cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous relatives;
deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(13) coordinate, as relevant, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Cold Case Office through
Operation Lady Justice and other federal efforts, as well as efforts in neighboring states and
Canada. This recommendation pertains to state efforts. Tribes are sovereign nations that
have the right to determine if and how they will coordinate with these other efforts deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (14) provide case support to victims and families of missing or murdered Indigenous
relatives or their designated family representative or the reporting person. Case support
includes but is not limited to providing support and guidance during the law enforcement
investigation; facilitating communication with criminal justice agencies and other government
entities; compiling relevant information about ongoing cases; and providing information,
referrals, and other types of support.
new text end

new text begin (b) As used in this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "reporting person" means the relative or nonrelative person who completed a case
intake form with the office; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "victim" has the meaning given in section 611A.01.
new text end

new text begin (c) Data created, collected, received, stored, used, or maintained by the office related to
paragraph (a), clause (14), are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02,
subdivision 12.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 299A.90, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties.

(a) The office has the following duties:

(1) advocate in the legislature for legislation that will facilitate the accomplishment of
mandates identified in the report of the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African
American Women;

(2) advocate for state agencies to take actions to facilitate the accomplishment of mandates
identified in the report of the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American
Women;

(3) develop recommendations for legislative and agency actions to address injustice in
the criminal justice system's response to cases of missing and murdered Black women and
girls;

(4) facilitate research to refine the mandates in the report of the Task Force on Missing
and Murdered African American Women and to assess the potential efficacy, feasibility,
and impact of the recommendations;

(5) collect data on missing person and homicide cases involving Black women and girls,
including the total number of cases, the rate at which the cases are solved, the length of time
the cases remain open, and a comparison to similar cases involving different demographic
groups;

(6) collect data on Amber Alerts, including the total number of Amber Alerts issued,
the total number of Amber Alerts that involve Black girls, and the outcome of cases involving
Amber Alerts disaggregated by the child's race and sex;

(7) collect data on reports of missing Black girls, including the number classified as
voluntary runaways, and a comparison to similar cases involving different demographic
groups;

(8) analyze and assess the intersection between cases involving missing and murdered
Black women and girls and labor trafficking and sex trafficking;

(9) develop recommendations for legislative, agency, and community actions to address
the intersection between cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls and
labor trafficking and sex trafficking;

(10) analyze and assess the intersection between cases involving murdered Black women
and girls and domestic violence, including prior instances of domestic violence within the
family or relationship, whether an offender had prior convictions for domestic assault or
related offenses, and whether the offender used a firearm in the murder or any prior instances
of domestic assault;

(11) develop recommendations for legislative, agency, and community actions to address
the intersection between cases involving murdered Black women and girls and domestic
violence;

(12) develop tools and processes to evaluate the implementation and impact of the efforts
of the office;

(13) track and collect Minnesota data on missing and murdered Black women and girls,
and provide statistics upon public or legislative inquiry;

(14) facilitate technical assistance for local and Tribal law enforcement agencies during
active cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls;

(15) conduct case reviews and report on the results of case reviews for the following
types of cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls: cold cases for
missing Black women and girls and death investigation review for cases of Black women
and girls ruled as suicide or overdose under suspicious circumstances;

(16) conduct case reviews of the prosecution and sentencing for cases where a perpetrator
committed a violent or exploitative crime against a Black woman or girl. These case reviews
must identify those cases where the perpetrator is a repeat offender;

(17) prepare draft legislation as necessary to allow the office access to the data necessary
for the office to conduct the reviews required in this section and advocate for passage of
that legislation;

(18) review sentencing guidelines for crimes related to missing and murdered Black
women and girls, recommend changes if needed, and advocate for consistent implementation
of the guidelines across Minnesota courts;

(19) develop and maintain communication with relevant divisions in the Department of
Public Safety, including but not limited to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, regarding
any cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls and on procedures for
investigating cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls;

(20) consult with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage established in section
15.0145; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(21) coordinate, as relevant, with federal efforts, and efforts in neighboring states and
Canada deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (22) provide case support to victims and families of missing or murdered Black women
and girls or their designated family representative or the reporting person. Case support
includes but is not limited to providing support and guidance during the law enforcement
investigation; facilitating communication with criminal justice agencies and other government
entities; compiling relevant information about ongoing cases; and providing information,
referrals, and other types of support.
new text end

(b) As used in this subdivision:

(1) "labor trafficking" has the meaning given in section 609.281, subdivision 5; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (2) "reporting person" means the relative or nonrelative person who completed a case
intake form with the office;
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end "sex trafficking" has the meaning given in section 609.321, subdivision 7a deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (4) "victim" has the meaning given in section 611A.01.
new text end

new text begin (c) Data created, collected, received, stored, used, or maintained by the office related to
paragraph (a), clause (22), are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02,
subdivision 12.
new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518B.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Standards for domestic abuse counseling programs and domestic abuse
educational programs.

(a) Domestic abuse counseling or educational programs that provide
group or class sessions for court-ordered domestic abuse offenders must provide
documentation to the probation department or the court on program policies and how the
program meets the criteria contained in paragraphs (b) to (l).

(b) Programs shall require offenders and abusing parties to attend a minimum of 24
sessions or 36 hours of programming, unless a probation agent has recommended fewer
sessions. The documentation provided to the probation department or the court must specify
the length of the program that offenders are required to complete.

(c) Programs must have a written policy requiring that counselors and facilitators report
to the court and to the offender's probation or corrections officer any threats of violence
made by the offender or abusing party, acts of violence by the offender or abusing party,
violation of court orders by the offender or abusing party, and violation of program rules
that resulted in the offender's or abusing party's termination from the program. Programs
shall have written policies requiring that counselors and facilitators hold offenders and
abusing parties solely responsible for their behavior.

Programs shall have written policies requiring that counselors and facilitators be violence
free in their own lives.

(d) Each program shall conduct an intake process with each offender or abusing party.
This intake process shall look for chemical dependency problems and possible risks the
offender or abusing party might pose to self or others. The program must have policies
regarding referral of a chemically dependent offender or abusing party to a chemical
dependency treatment center. If the offender or abusing party poses a risk to self or others,
the program shall report this information to the court, the probation or corrections officer,
and the victim.

(e) If the offender or abusing party is reported back to the court or is terminated from
the program, the program shall notify the victim of the circumstances unless the victim
requests otherwise.

(f) Programs shall require court-ordered offenders and abusing parties to sign a release
of information authorizing communication regarding the offender's or abusing party's
progress in the program to the court, the offender's probation or corrections officer, other
providers, and the victim. The offender or abusing party may not enter the program if the
offender does not sign a release.

(g) If a counselor or facilitator contacts the victim, the counselor or facilitator must not
elicit any information that the victim does not want to provide. A counselor or facilitator
who contacts a victim shall (1) notify the victim of the right not to provide any information,
(2) notify the victim of how any information provided will be used and with whom it will
be shared, and (3) obtain the victim's permission before eliciting information from the victim
or sharing information with anyone other than staff of the counseling program.

Programs shall have written policies requiring that counselors and facilitators inform
victims of the confidentiality of information as provided by this subdivision. Programs must
maintain separate files for information pertaining to the offender or abusing party and to
the victim.

If a counselor or facilitator contacts a victim, the counselor or facilitator shall provide
the victim with referral information for support services.

(h) Programs shall have written policies forbidding program staff from disclosing any
confidential communication made by the offender or abusing party without the consent of
the offender or abusing party, except that programs must warn a potential victim of imminent
danger based upon information provided by an offender or abusing party.

(i) The counseling program or educational program must provide services in a group
setting, unless the offender or abusing party would be inappropriate in a group setting.

Programs must provide separate sessions for male and female offenders and abusing
parties.

(j) Programs shall have written policies forbidding program staff from offering or
referring marriage or couples counseling until the offender or abusing party has completed
a domestic abuse counseling program or educational program for the minimum number of
court-ordered sessions and the counselor or facilitator reasonably believes that the violence,
intimidation, and coercion has ceased and the victim feels safe to participate.

(k) Programs must have written policies requiring that the counselor or facilitator report
when the court-ordered offender or abusing party has completed the program to the court
and the offender's probation or corrections officer.

(l) Programs must have written policies to coordinate with the court, probation and
corrections officers, deleted text begin battered women's and deleted text end domestic abuse programs, child protection
services, and other providers on promotion of victim safety and offender accountability.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 609.101, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

Minimum fines.

Notwithstanding any other law, when a court sentences a
person convicted of violating section 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.2231, 609.224,
609.2242, 609.267, 609.2671, 609.2672, 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, or 609.345, it must
impose a fine of not less than 30 percent of the maximum fine authorized by law nor more
than the maximum fine authorized by law.

The court shall collect the portion of the fine mandated by this subdivision and forward
70 percent of it to a local victim assistance program that provides services locally in the
county in which the crime was committed. The court shall forward the remaining 30 percent
to the commissioner of management and budget to be credited to the general fund. If more
than one victim assistance program serves the county in which the crime was committed,
the court may designate on a case-by-case basis which program will receive the fine proceeds,
giving consideration to the nature of the crime committed, the types of victims served by
the program, and the funding needs of the program. If no victim assistance program serves
that county, the court shall forward 100 percent of the fine proceeds to the commissioner
of management and budget to be credited to the general fund. Fine proceeds received by a
local victim assistance program must be used to provide direct services to crime victims.

The minimum fine required by this subdivision is in addition to the surcharge or
assessment required by section 357.021, subdivision 6, and is in addition to any sentence
of imprisonment or restitution imposed or ordered by the court.

As used in this subdivision, "victim assistance program" means victim witness programs
within county attorney offices or any of the following programs: crime victim crisis centers,
victim-witness programs, domestic abuse deleted text begin victim deleted text end shelters and nonshelter programs, sexual
assault programs, and children's advocacy centers as defined in section 260E.02, subdivision
5.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.605, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Gross misdemeanor.

Whoever trespasses upon the grounds of a facility
providing emergency shelter services for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end , as defined
under section 611A.31, subdivision 3, or providing comparable services for sex trafficking
victims, as defined under section 609.321, subdivision 7b, or of a facility providing
transitional housing for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end and their children or sex
trafficking victims and their children, without claim of right or consent of one who has right
to give consent, and refuses to depart from the grounds of the facility on demand of one
who has right to give consent, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.7495, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given deleted text begin them deleted text end .

(a) "Facility" means any of the following:

(1) a hospital or other health institution licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56;

(2) a medical facility as defined in section 144.561;

(3) an agency, clinic, or office operated under the direction of or under contract with the
commissioner of health or a community health board, as defined in section 145A.02;

(4) a facility providing counseling regarding options for medical services or recovery
from an addiction;

(5) a facility providing emergency shelter services for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse
victims new text end , as defined in section 611A.31, subdivision 3, or a facility providing transitional
housing for deleted text begin battered women deleted text end new text begin domestic abuse victims new text end and their children;

(6) a facility as defined in section 260E.03, subdivision 6;

(7) a facility as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 6, where the services described
in that paragraph are provided;

(8) a place to or from which ambulance service, as defined in section 144E.001, is
provided or sought to be provided; and

(9) a hospice provider licensed under section 144A.753.

(b) "Aggrieved party" means a person whose access to or egress from a facility is
obstructed in violation of subdivision 2, or the facility.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 611A.31, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Commissioner.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department
of deleted text begin Corrections deleted text end new text begin Public Safety new text end or a designee.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 629.72, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Electronic monitoring; condition of pretrial release.

(a) Until the
commissioner of corrections has adopted standards governing electronic monitoring devices
used to protect victims of domestic abuse, the court, as a condition of release, may not order
a person arrested for a crime described in section 609.135, subdivision 5a, paragraph (b),
to use an electronic monitoring device to protect a victim's safety.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the chief judge of a judicial district may appoint and
convene an advisory group comprised of representatives from law enforcement, prosecutors,
defense attorneys, corrections, court administrators, judges, and deleted text begin battered women's deleted text end new text begin domestic
abuse new text end organizations to develop standards for the use of electronic monitoring and global
positioning system devices to protect victims of domestic abuse and for evaluating the
effectiveness of electronic monitoring. After the advisory group does this, the chief judge,
in consultation with the advisory group, may conduct a pilot project for implementation of
the electronic monitoring standards. A judicial district that conducts a pilot project shall
report on the standards and the pilot project to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over criminal justice
policy and the state court administrator's office.

Sec. 26. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes must change the term "battered women" to "domestic abuse
victims" or a similar term wherever the term or similar terms appear in Minnesota Statutes.
The revisor must make any necessary grammatical changes or changes to sentence structure
necessary to preserve the meaning of the text as a result of the changes.
new text end

Sec. 27. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 611A.201, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5; 611A.37,
subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8; 611A.371; 611A.372; and 611A.373, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-06124

611A.201 DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

Subdivision 1.

Appointment of director.

The executive director of the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety shall appoint a person to serve as director of domestic violence and sexual assault prevention in the office. The director must have experience in domestic violence and sexual assault prevention issues. The director serves at the executive director's pleasure in the unclassified service. The executive director may appoint, supervise, discipline, and discharge employees to assist the director in carrying out the director's responsibilities under this section.

Subd. 2.

Director's responsibilities.

The director shall have the following duties:

(1) advocate for the rights of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;

(2) increase public education and visibility about the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault;

(3) encourage accountability regarding domestic violence and sexual assault at all levels of the system, and develop recommendations to improve accountability when the system fails;

(4) support prosecution and civil litigation efforts regarding domestic violence and sexual assault at the federal and state levels;

(5) study issues involving domestic violence and sexual assault as they pertain to both men and women and present findings and recommendations resulting from these studies to all branches of government;

(6) initiate policy changes regarding domestic violence and sexual assault at all levels of government;

(7) coordinate existing resources and promote coordinated and immediate community responses to better serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;

(8) build partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, defenders, advocates, and courts to reduce the occurrence of domestic violence and sexual assault;

(9) encourage and support the efforts of health care providers, mental health experts, employers, educators, clergy members, and others, in raising awareness of and addressing how to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault;

(10) coordinate and maximize the use of federal, state, and local resources available to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault and leverage more resources through grants and private funding; and

(11) serve as a liaison between the executive director of the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety and the commissioner of health with regard to the Department of Health's sexual violence prevention program funded by federal block grants, and oversee how this money is spent.

Subd. 4.

Annual report.

By January 15 of each year, the director shall report to the governor and the legislature on matters within the director's jurisdiction. In addition to other issues deemed relevant by the director, the report may include recommendations for changes in policies and laws relating to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention.

Subd. 5.

Other responsibilities.

In addition to those described in this section, the executive director of the office may assign other appropriate responsibilities to the director.

611A.37 DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

For purposes of sections 611A.371 to 611A.375, the terms defined have the meanings given them unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context.

Subd. 2.

Director.

"Director" means the director of the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety or a designee.

Subd. 3.

Office.

"Office" means the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety.

Subd. 4.

Shelter facility.

"Shelter facility" means a secure crisis shelter, housing network, safe home, or other facility operated by a nonprofit organization and designated by the center for the purpose of providing food, lodging, safety, and 24-hour coverage for battered women and their children.

Subd. 5.

Designated shelter facility.

"Designated shelter facility" means a facility that has applied to, and been approved by, the Office of Justice Programs to provide shelter and services to battered women and their children.

Subd. 8.

Battered woman.

"Battered woman" has the meaning given in section 611A.31, subdivision 2.

611A.371 PROGRAM OPERATION.

Subdivision 1.

Purpose.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide reimbursement in a timely, efficient manner to local programs for the reasonable and necessary costs of providing battered women and their children with food, lodging, and safety. Grant funding may not be used for other purposes.

Subd. 2.

Nondiscrimination.

Designated shelter facilities are prohibited from discriminating against a battered woman or her children on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or sexual orientation.

Subd. 3.

Data.

Personal history information collected, used, or maintained by a designated shelter facility from which the identity or location of any battered woman may be determined is private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, and the facility shall maintain the data in accordance with the provisions of chapter 13.

611A.372 DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.

In addition to any other duties imposed by law, the director, with the approval of the commissioner of public safety, shall:

(1) supervise the administration of grant payments to designated shelter facilities;

(2) collect data on shelter facilities;

(3) conduct an annual evaluation of the grant program;

(4) report to the governor and the legislature on the need for emergency secure shelter;

(5) develop an application process for shelter facilities to follow in seeking reimbursement under the grant program; and

(6) adopt rules to implement and administer sections 611A.37 to 611A.375.

611A.373 PAYMENTS.

Subdivision 1.

Payment.

Payments to designated shelter facilities must be in the form of a grant. Designated shelter facilities may submit requests for payment monthly based on their expenses. The process for the submission of payments and for the submission of requests may be established by the director. Upon approval of the request for payment by the office, payments shall be made directly to designated shelter facilities from grant funds on behalf of women and their children who reside in the shelter facility. Payments made to a designated shelter facility must not exceed the grant amount for that facility unless approved by the director. These payments must not affect the eligibility of individuals who reside in shelter facilities for public assistance benefits, except when required by federal law or regulation.

Subd. 2.

Reserve grant amount.

The office shall calculate the grant amount for each designated shelter facility. This calculation may be based upon program type, average occupancy rates, and licensed capacity limits. The total of all grant amounts shall not exceed the legislative appropriation.

Subd. 3.

Accountability.

Shelter facilities must comply with reporting requirements and any other measures imposed by the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety to improve accountability and program outcomes including, but not limited to, information on all restricted or unrestricted fund balances.