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HF1295 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Children's advocacy centers inclusion as a victim assistance program entitled to a portion of certain fines provision

Related bill: SF2299

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to amend existing Minnesota law to ensure that Children's Advocacy Centers are included as eligible recipients for a portion of certain fines collected in criminal cases. It is aimed at enhancing support for victims of crimes, specifically designating funds to local victim assistance programs.

Main Provisions

  • Fine Allocation: The bill mandates that when fines are collected as a result of specific criminal convictions, a minimum amount must be imposed and a portion of these fines are distributed to victim assistance programs.
  • Percentage Allocation: 70% of the collected fines are directed to local victim assistance programs operating in the county where the crime occurred, with the remaining 30% going to the state's general fund.
  • Program Designation: If multiple victim assistance programs operate in a county, the court can decide which program receives the funds. This decision should consider factors such as the nature of the crime, the types of victims served, and the financial needs of the program.
  • Use of Funds: Proceeds given to local victim assistance programs must be used to provide direct services to crime victims.
  • Inclusion of Children's Advocacy Centers: The bill specifically includes Children's Advocacy Centers, along with other victim support services, as beneficiaries eligible for receiving these funds.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill revises the current statute by explicitly including Children's Advocacy Centers in the list of programs eligible to receive fine proceeds, expanding the scope of victim assistance programs that can benefit from these funds under the law.
  • It formalizes the allocation process of fines collected from specific offenses, ensuring that a fixed percentage supports victim assistance initiatives.

Relevant Terms

  • Public Safety
  • Children's Advocacy Centers
  • Victim Assistance Program
  • Fine Allocation
  • Crime Victims
  • Local Victim Services
  • General Fund
  • Court Orders

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReceived from House
February 19, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 16, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
March 25, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 26, 2025HouseFloorActionThird reading
March 26, 2025HouseFloorActionBill was passed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Children's advocacy centers are included as eligible victim assistance programs."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the fines imposed for certain criminal offenses under section 609.101, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the distribution of fines to include a portion directed towards children's advocacy centers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 609.221 concerning sentencing for criminal offenses.",
      "modified": [
        "Fine distribution rules for violations of this section are revised."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.221",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This references section 357.021, subdivision 6 for surcharges related to fines.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that the minimum fine is in addition to surcharges or assessments pursuant to this section."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "357.021",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This references section 260E.02, subdivision 5 for definitions related to children's advocacy centers.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporated definition of children’s advocacy centers in the context of victim assistance programs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260E.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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