HF 762

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/01/2017 03:35pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by bias;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [609.2295] CRIMES MOTIVATED BY BIAS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Crime. new text end

new text begin A person who commits a crime because of the victim's, the
property owner's, or another's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
disability as defined in section 363A.03, age, or national origin, is guilty of a crime motivated
by bias and may be sentenced as provided in subdivision 2, unless a greater penalty is
provided elsewhere.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Penalty. new text end

new text begin (a) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a felony,
the statutory maximum for the crime is 25 percent longer than the statutory maximum for
the underlying crime.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a felony and the victim of the
crime is a child under the age of 18 years, the statutory maximum for the crime is 25 percent
longer than the statutory maximum for the underlying crime.
new text end

new text begin (c) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a gross misdemeanor, the
person is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than three
years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the crime committed in violation of subdivision 1 is a misdemeanor, the person is
guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017, and applies to crimes
committed on or after that date.
new text end