SF 2214

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2014 08:37am

A bill for an act
relating to criminal justice; modifying provisions governing expungement of
criminal records; requiring business screening services to delete expunged
records; allowing expungement of eviction records in certain cases; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 260B.198, subdivision 6; 332.70, by adding
a subdivision; 504B.345, subdivision 1; 609A.02, subdivision 3; 609A.03,
subdivisions 5, 7, 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 609A.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260B.198, subdivision 6, is amended to
read:

Subd. 6.

Expungement.

deleted text begin Except when legal custody is transferred under the
provisions of subdivision 1, clause (4), deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end The court may expunge deleted text begin the adjudication of
deleted text end new text begin all records relating to the arrest and new text end delinquency new text begin proceedings new text end at any time deleted text begin that it deems
advisable deleted text end new text begin if the court determines that expungement of the record would yield a benefit
to the subject of the record that outweighs the detriment to the public and public safety
in sealing the record and the burden on the court and public agencies or jurisdictions in
issuing, enforcing, and monitoring the order new text end .

new text begin (b) In making a determination under this subdivision, the court shall consider:
new text end

new text begin (1) the age, education, experience, and background, including mental and emotional
development, of the subject of the record at the time of commission of the offense;
new text end

new text begin (2) the circumstances and nature and severity of the offense, including any
aggravating or mitigating factors in the commission of the offense;
new text end

new text begin (3) victim and community impact, including age and vulnerability of the victim;
new text end

new text begin (4) the level of participation of the subject of the record in the planning and carrying
out of the offense, including familial or peer influence in the commission of the offense;
new text end

new text begin (5) the juvenile delinquency and criminal history of the subject of the record;
new text end

new text begin (6) the programming history of the subject of the record, including child welfare,
school and community-based, and probation interventions, and the subject's willingness to
participate meaningfully in programming, probation, or both;
new text end

new text begin (7) any other aggravating or mitigating circumstance bearing on the culpability or
potential for rehabilitation of the subject of the record; and
new text end

new text begin (8) the benefit that expungement would yield to the subject of the record in pursuing
education, employment, housing, or other necessities.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a record that is expunged under this subdivision
may be opened or exchanged between criminal justice agencies in the same manner as a
criminal record under section 609A.03, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (d) Section 609A.03, subdivision 9, applies to an appeal of an order under this
subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 332.70, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Deletion of expunged records. new text end

new text begin If a business screening service knows that
a criminal record has been sealed, expunged, or is the subject of a pardon, the screening
service shall promptly delete the record.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 504B.345, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

(a) If the court or jury finds for the plaintiff, the court shall
immediately enter judgment that the plaintiff shall have recovery of the premises, and shall
tax the costs against the defendant. The court shall issue execution in favor of the plaintiff
for the costs and also immediately issue a writ of recovery of premises and order to vacate.

(b) The court shall give priority in issuing a writ of recovery of premises and order
to vacate for an eviction action brought under section 504B.171 or on the basis that the
tenant is causing a nuisance or seriously endangers the safety of other residents, their
property, or the landlord's property.

(c) If the court or jury finds for the defendant deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end the court shall enter judgment for the defendant, tax the costs against the plaintiff,
and issue execution in favor of the defendant new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the court may expunge the records relating to the action at the time judgment is
entered or after that time new text end .

(d) Except in actions brought: (1) under section 504B.291 as required by section
609.5317, subdivision 1; (2) under section 504B.171; or (3) on the basis that the tenant is
causing a nuisance or seriously endangers the safety of other residents, their property, or
the landlord's property, upon a showing by the defendant that immediate restitution of the
premises would work a substantial hardship upon the defendant or the defendant's family,
the court shall stay the writ of recovery of premises and order to vacate for a reasonable
period, not to exceed seven days.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Certain criminal proceedings deleted text begin not resulting in conviction deleted text end .

new text begin (a) Subject to
paragraph (c), new text end a petition may be filed under section 609A.03 to seal all records relating
to an arrest, indictment or information, trial, or verdict if the records are not subject to
section 299C.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and if new text begin : new text end

new text begin (1) new text end all pending actions or proceedings were resolved in favor of the petitioner.
For purposes of this chapter, a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental illness is not a
resolution in favor of the petitioner deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) the petitioner has successfully completed the terms of a diversion program or
stay of adjudication and has not been charged with a new crime for at least one year since
completion of the diversion program or stay of adjudication;
new text end

new text begin (3) the petitioner was convicted of or received a stayed sentence for a petty
misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or gross misdemeanor and has not been convicted of a new
crime for at least three years since discharge of the sentence for the crime; or
new text end

new text begin (4) the petitioner was convicted of or received a stayed sentence for a felony
violation of an offense listed in paragraph (b), and has not been convicted of a new crime
for at least five years since discharge of the sentence for the crime.
new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a), clause (4), applies to the following offenses:
new text end

new text begin (1) section 35.824 (altering livestock certificate);
new text end

new text begin (2) section 62A.41 (insurance regulations);
new text end

new text begin (3) section 86B.865, subdivision 1 (certification for title on watercraft);
new text end

new text begin (4) section 152.025 (controlled substance in the fifth degree); 152.027, subdivision
6, paragraph (c) (sale of synthetic cannabinoids); or 152.097 (sale of simulated controlled
substance);
new text end

new text begin (5) section 168A.30, subdivision 1 (certificate of title false information); or 169.09,
subdivision 14, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2) (accident resulting in death or great
bodily harm);
new text end

new text begin (6) chapter 201; 203B; or 204C (voting violations);
new text end

new text begin (7) section 228.45; 228.47; 228.49; 228.50, or 228.51 (false bill of lading);
new text end

new text begin (8) section 256.984 (false declaration in assistance application);
new text end

new text begin (9) section 296A.23, subdivision 2 (willful evasion of fuel tax);
new text end

new text begin (10) section 297D.09, subdivision 1 (failure to affix stamp on scheduled substances);
new text end

new text begin (11) section 297G.19 (liquor taxation); or 340A.701 (unlawful acts involving liquor);
new text end

new text begin (12) section 325F.743 (precious metal dealers); or 325F.755, subdivision 7 (prize
notices and solicitations);
new text end

new text begin (13) section 346.155, subdivision 10 (failure to control regulated animal);
new text end

new text begin (14) section 349.2127; or 349.22 (gambling regulations);
new text end

new text begin (15) section 588.20 (contempt);
new text end

new text begin (16) section 609.26, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), clause (1) (deprivation of custodial
or parental rights);
new text end

new text begin (17) section 609.27, subdivision 1, clauses (2) to (5) (coercion);
new text end

new text begin (18) section 609.31 (leaving state to evade establishment of paternity); or 609.375,
subdivision 2a (nonsupport of spouse or child);
new text end

new text begin (19) section 609.3242, subdivision 2, clause (2) (prostitution crime in school or
park zone);
new text end

new text begin (20) section 609.485, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (2) or (4) (escape from
civil commitment or mental illness);
new text end

new text begin (21) section 609.487, subdivision 3 (fleeing a peace officer);
new text end

new text begin (22) section 609.49 (failure to appear in court); or 609.495, subdivision 1 (aiding
offender to avoid arrest);
new text end

new text begin (23) section 609.52, subdivision 3, clause (3)(a) (theft of $5,000 or less), or other
theft offense that is sentenced under this provision; or 609.52, subdivision 3a, clause (1)
(theft of $1,000 or less with risk of bodily harm);
new text end

new text begin (24) section 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into state);
new text end

new text begin (25) section 609.526, subdivision 2, clause (2) (metal dealer receiving stolen goods);
new text end

new text begin (26) section 609.527, subdivision 3, clause (3), or subdivision 5a (identity theft);
new text end

new text begin (27) section 609.527, subdivision 5b (possession or use of scanning device or
reencorder); 609.528, subdivision 3, clause (3) (possession or sale of stolen or counterfeit
check); or 609.529 (mail theft);
new text end

new text begin (28) section 609.53 (receiving stolen goods);
new text end

new text begin (29) section 609.535, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause (1) (dishonored check
over $500);
new text end

new text begin (30) section 609.54, clause (1) (embezzlement of public funds $2,500 or less);
new text end

new text begin (31) section 609.551 (rustling and livestock theft);
new text end

new text begin (32) section 609.5641, subdivision 1a, paragraph (a) (wildfire arson);
new text end

new text begin (33) section 609.576, subdivision 1, clause (3), item (iii) (negligent fires);
new text end

new text begin (34) section 609.595, subdivision 1, clauses (2) to (4), and subdivision 1a, paragraph
(a) (criminal damage to property);
new text end

new text begin (35) section 609.597, subdivision 3, clause (3) (assaulting or harming police horse);
new text end

new text begin (36) section 609.625 (aggravated forgery); 609.63 (forgery); 609.631, subdivision
4, clause (3)(a) (check forgery $2,500 or less); 609.635 (obtaining signature by false
pretense); 609.64 (recording, filing forged instrument); or 609.645 (fraudulent statements);
new text end

new text begin (37) section 609.65, clause (1) (false certification by notary); or 609.651, subdivision
4, paragraph (a) (lottery fraud);
new text end

new text begin (38) section 609.652 (fraudulent driver's license and identification card);
new text end

new text begin (39) section 609.66, subdivision 1a, paragraph (a) (discharge of firearm; silencer);
609.66, subdivision 1b (furnishing firearm to minor); or 609.66, subdivision 1c (furnishing
a dangerous weapon);
new text end

new text begin (40) section 609.662, subdivision 2, paragraph (b) (duty to render aid);
new text end

new text begin (41) section 609.667 (removing or altering serial number on firearm); or 609.686,
subdivision 2 (tampering with fire alarm);
new text end

new text begin (42) section 609.746, subdivision 1, paragraph (e) (interference with privacy;
subsequent violation or minor victim);
new text end

new text begin (43) section 609.80, subdivision 2 (interference with cable communications system);
new text end

new text begin (44) section 609.821, subdivision 2 (financial transaction card fraud);
new text end

new text begin (45) section 609.822 (residential mortgage fraud);
new text end

new text begin (46) section 609.825, subdivision 2 (bribery of participant or official in contest);
new text end

new text begin (47) section 609.855, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), clause (1) (interference with
transit operator);
new text end

new text begin (48) section 609.88 (computer damage); or 609.89 (computer theft);
new text end

new text begin (49) section 609.893, subdivision 2 (telecommunications and information services
fraud);
new text end

new text begin (50) section 609.894, subdivision 3 or 4 (cellular counterfeiting);
new text end

new text begin (51) section 609.895, subdivision 3, paragraph (a) or (b) (counterfeited intellectual
property);
new text end

new text begin (52) section 609.896 (movie pirating);
new text end

new text begin (53) section 624.7132, subdivision 15, paragraph (b) (transfer pistol to minor);
624.714, subdivision 1a (pistol without permit; subsequent violation); or 624.7141,
subdivision 2 (transfer of pistol to ineligible person); or
new text end

new text begin (54) section 624.7181 (rifle or shotgun in public by minor).
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [609A.025] NO PETITION REQUIRED IN CERTAIN CASES WITH
PROSECUTOR AGREEMENT AND NOTIFICATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) If the prosecutor agrees to the sealing of a criminal record, the court shall seal the
criminal record for a person described in section 609A.02, subdivision 3, without the filing
of a petition unless it determines that the interests of the public and public safety in keeping
the record public outweigh the disadvantages to the subject of the record in not sealing it.
new text end

new text begin (b) Before agreeing to the sealing of a record under this section, the prosecutor shall
make a good faith effort to notify any identifiable victims of the offense of the intended
agreement and the opportunity to object to the agreement.
new text end

new text begin (c) Subject to paragraph (b), the agreement of the prosecutor to the sealing of records
for a person described in section 609A.02, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2), may
occur before or after the criminal charges are dismissed.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609A.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Nature of remedy; standard.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by
paragraph (b), expungement of a criminal record is an extraordinary remedy to be granted
only upon clear and convincing evidence that it would yield a benefit to the petitioner
commensurate with the disadvantages to the public and public safety of:

(1) sealing the record; and

(2) burdening the court and public authorities to issue, enforce, and monitor an
expungement order.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this paragraph, if the petitioner is petitioning
for the sealing of a criminal record under section 609A.02, subdivision 3 new text begin , paragraph (a),
clause (1) or (2) new text end , the court shall grant the petition to seal the record unless the agency
or jurisdiction whose records would be affected establishes by clear and convincing
evidence that the interests of the public and public safety outweigh the disadvantages
to the petitioner of not sealing the record.

new text begin (c) In making a determination under this subdivision, the court shall consider:
new text end

new text begin (1) the nature and severity of the underlying crime the record of which would be
sealed;
new text end

new text begin (2) the risk, if any, the petitioner poses to individuals or society;
new text end

new text begin (3) the length of time since the crime occurred;
new text end

new text begin (4) the steps taken by the petitioner towards rehabilitation following the crime;
new text end

new text begin (5) aggravating or mitigating factors relating to the underlying crime, including the
petitioner's level of participation, claims of innocence, and irregularities in the trial;
new text end

new text begin (6) the reasons for the expungement, including the petitioner's attempts to obtain
employment, housing, or other necessities;
new text end

new text begin (7) the petitioner's criminal record;
new text end

new text begin (8) the petitioner's record of employment and community involvement;
new text end

new text begin (9) the recommendations of interested law enforcement, prosecutorial, and
corrections officials;
new text end

new text begin (10) the recommendations of victims of the underlying crime; and
new text end

new text begin (11) other factors deemed relevant by the court.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) Notwithstanding section 13.82, 13.87, or any other law to the contrary, new text end if the
court issues an expungement order it may require that the criminal record be sealed, the
existence of the record not be revealed, and the record not be opened except as required
under subdivision 7. Records must not be destroyed or returned to the subject of the record.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609A.03, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Limitations of order.

(a) Upon issuance of an expungement order related
to a charge supported by probable cause, the DNA samples and DNA records held by
the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and collected under authority other than section
299C.105, shall not be sealed, returned to the subject of the record, or destroyed.

(b) Notwithstanding the issuance of an expungement order:

(1) an expunged record may be opened deleted text begin for purposes of a criminal investigation,
prosecution, or sentencing, upon an ex parte court order deleted text end new text begin or exchanged between criminal
justice agencies without a court order if the record is pertinent in initiating, furthering,
or completing an investigation or prosecution or for sentencing purposes or providing
probation or other correctional services new text end ;

(2) an expunged record of a conviction may be opened for purposes of evaluating a
prospective employee in a criminal justice agency without a court order; and

(3) an expunged record of a conviction may be opened for purposes of a background
study under section 245C.08 unless the court order for expungement is directed
specifically to the commissioner of human services.

deleted text begin Upon request by law enforcement, prosecution, or corrections authorities, an agency
or jurisdiction subject to an expungement order shall inform the requester of the existence
of a sealed record and of the right to obtain access to it as provided by this paragraph deleted text end new text begin (c)
An agency or jurisdiction subject to an expungement order shall maintain the record in a
manner that provides access to the record by a criminal justice agency under paragraph
(b), clause (1), but notifies the recipient that the record has been sealed. Upon request by
the commissioner of human services, an agency or jurisdiction subject to an expungement
order shall inform the commissioner of the existence of the sealed record and of the right
to obtain access to the record under paragraph (b), clause (3). An expunged record that is
opened or exchanged under this subdivision remains subject to the expungement order in
the hands of the person receiving the record new text end .

new text begin (d) new text end For purposes of this section, a "criminal justice agency" means courts or a
government agency that performs the administration of criminal justice under statutory
authority.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 609A.03, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Distribution new text begin and confirmation new text end of expungement orders.

new text begin (a) new text end The court
administrator shall send a copy of an expungement order to each agency and jurisdiction
whose records are affected by the terms of the order new text begin and send a letter to the petitioner
identifying each agency that received the order.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each agency and jurisdiction receiving the order must send a letter to the
petitioner confirming that the record has been expunged.
new text end

new text begin (c) Data on the petitioner in a letter sent under this subdivision are private data
on individuals as defined in section 13.02 new text end .