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HF1597 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Task Force on Establishing a Yellow Alert System established, report required, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF2233

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes the establishment of a Task Force on Establishing a Yellow Alert System in Minnesota. The purpose of the task force is to design a system for public notifications to help locate vehicles that flee the scene of hit-and-run accidents.

Key Provisions:

  1. Creation of the Task Force:

    • Designed to study and recommend policies for a Yellow Alert System.
    • Will provide guidelines for issuing alerts during hit-and-run incidents that result in bodily harm or death.

  2. Membership Structure:

    • Includes representatives from the Departments of Public Safety and Transportation, the State Patrol, law enforcement associations, traffic safety organizations, and the general public.
    • Appointments must be made by September 1, 2025, and members serve without compensation.

  3. Duties:
    The task force must:

    • Analyze hit-and-run incident data.
    • Study similar alert systems used in other states.
    • Determine what circumstances (e.g., level of injury) should trigger an alert.
    • Outline responsibilities of law enforcement and state agencies in handling alerts.
    • Develop alert issuance procedures, including public notification methods.
    • Recommend funding and legislative needs for the system.

  4. Meetings & Reporting:

    • First meeting by October 1, 2025; required to meet regularly.
    • A final report with findings and recommendations due by January 15, 2026.
    • Task force expires after submitting its report.

  5. Appropriation:

    • Funds from the general budget will be allocated in fiscal year 2026 to the Commissioner of Public Safety to support the task force.

Purpose:

This initiative aims to create an alert system similar to Amber or Silver Alerts but specifically tailored to hit-and-run incidents. The ultimate goal is to increase public involvement in locating fleeing vehicles and enhance road safety.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'bodily harm' as used in the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.02, subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'great bodily harm' as used in the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.02, subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites the existing law about remaining at the scene of a collision that caused injury or death.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.09, subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites the existing law about remaining at the scene of a collision, with further details.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "169.09, subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines 'substantial bodily harm' as used in the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.02, subdivision 7a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Pertains to meeting regulations for the task force under the Minnesota Statutes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "chapter 13D"
  }
]

Sponsors