HF 681

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 02/13/2025 02:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring notice to crime victims when an offender files
an apology; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 611A.02, subdivision 2;
611A.06, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 611A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Victims' rights.

(a) The Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public
Safety shall update the two model notices of the rights of crime victims.

(b) The initial notice of the rights of crime victims must be distributed by a peace officer
to each victim, as defined in section 611A.01, at the time of initial contact with the victim.
The notice must inform a victim of:

(1) the victim's right to apply for reparations to cover losses, not including property
losses, resulting from a violent crime and the telephone number to call to request an
application;

(2) the victim's right to request that the law enforcement agency withhold public access
to data revealing the victim's identity under section 13.82, subdivision 17, paragraph (d);

(3) the additional rights of domestic abuse victims as described in section 629.341;

(4) information on the nearest crime victim assistance program or resource;

(5) the victim's rights, if an offender is charged, to be informed of and participate in the
prosecution process, including the right to request restitution; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(6) in homicide cases, information on rights and procedures available under sections
524.2-803, 524.3-614, and 524.3-615 new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (7) the victim's right to be notified of offender letters of apology pursuant to section
611A.06, subdivision 3b new text end .

(c) A supplemental notice of the rights of crime victims must be distributed by the city
or county attorney's office to each victim, within a reasonable time after the offender is
charged or petitioned. This notice must inform a victim of all the rights of crime victims
under this chapter.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 611A.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Notice of submission of apology letter. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of corrections or
other custodial authority shall make a good faith effort to notify the victim that the offender
has submitted a letter of apology. Notices shall only be provided to victims who have
submitted a written request for notification to the head of the county correctional facility
in which the offender is confined, or if committed to the Department of Corrections,
submitted a written request for the notice to the commissioner of corrections or an electronic
request through the Department of Corrections electronic victim notification system. The
good faith effort to notify the victim must occur within 90 days of the filing of the apology
letter.
new text end