1st Engrossment - 82nd Legislature (2001 - 2002) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to crime prevention; clarifying and modifying 1.3 the crime of nonsupport of a spouse or child; amending 1.4 Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 609.375, subdivisions 1.5 1, 2, 2a, and by adding a subdivision. 1.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 609.375, 1.8 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 1.9 Subdivision 1. [CRIME DEFINED.] Whoever is legally 1.10 obligated to provide care and support to a spouse or child, 1.11 whether or not its custody has been granted to another, and 1.12 knowingly omits and failswithout lawful excuseto do so is 1.13 guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction may be sentenced to 1.14 imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine 1.15 of not more than $700, or both. 1.16 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 609.375, 1.17 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 1.18 Subd. 2. [GROSS MISDEMEANOR VIOLATION.] If the violation 1.19 of subdivision 1 continues for a period in excess of 90 days but 1.20 not more than 180 days, or if during this period less than 25 1.21 percent of the amount of court-ordered child support or 1.22 maintenance owed was paid, the person is guilty of a gross 1.23 misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more 1.24 than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, 1.25 or both. 2.1 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 609.375, 2.2 subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 2.3 Subd. 2a. [FELONY VIOLATION.] If the violation of 2.4 subdivision 1 continues for a period in excess of 180 days, or 2.5 if during this period less than 25 percent of the amount of 2.6 court-ordered child support or maintenance owed was paid, the 2.7 person is guilty of a felony and upon conviction may be 2.8 sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to 2.9 payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. 2.10 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 609.375, is 2.11 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 2.12 Subd. 8. [DEFENSES.] It is an affirmative defense to 2.13 criminal liability under this section if the defendant proves by 2.14 a preponderance of the evidence that the omission and failure to 2.15 provide care and support were with lawful excuse. 2.16 Sec. 5. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 2.17 Sections 1 to 4 are effective August 1, 2001, and apply to 2.18 crimes committed on or after that date.