HF 2648

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/24/2025 03:02pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; prohibiting certain sex offenders from accessing social
media platforms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 243.055, by adding
a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 243.055, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Restrictions on social media platforms. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must impose
the following conditions on a parolee, state-supervised probationer, or individual on
supervised release for a violation of section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, or 609.3458,
where the individual committed the offense against a victim under the age of 18:
new text end

new text begin (1) prohibit the individual from using social media platforms that allow persons under
the age of 18 to be members or interact with other users; and
new text end

new text begin (2) require the individual to provide all their social media account details, including
usernames and passwords, to their parole or probation agent.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must annually prepare a list of social media platforms that satisfy
the criteria for a social media platform as defined in paragraph (c). The commissioner must
publish the list on the agency's public-facing website and distribute the list to all parole and
probation agents in the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this paragraph, the following terms have the meanings given:
new text end

new text begin (1) "social media platform" means an electronic medium, including a browser-based or
application-based interactive computer service, telephone network, or data network, that
allows users to create, share, and view user-generated content. Social media platform does
not include Internet search providers, email, or short-message-service; or streaming video
service or other Internet website where the content is not user-generated but where interactive
functions enable incidental chat, comments, or reviews. Social media platform does not
include a communication service, including audio and video communication technology,
provided by a business to the business's employees and clients for use in the course of
business activities and not for public distribution; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "user-generated content" means any content created or shared by an account holder,
including but not limited to written posts, photographs, graphics, video recordings, or audio
recordings.
new text end