This bill, Minnesota House File No. 1775, introduced by Representative Pinto, focuses on public safety by mandating the collection, reporting, and public accessibility of specific criminal case information.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

1. Data Collection Requirements
   Criminal justice officials and entities are required to collect comprehensive data on criminal defendants, including:

   • Personal details (name, alias, birth year, age, race, ethnicity, gender, language, public defender status).
     
   • Booking and release details.
     
   • Pending charges and associated booking dates.
     
   • Charge details (statute, description, severity, disposition, prosecution method).
     
   • Bail or bond information (initial bail amount, risk assessment, pretrial release conditions, revocations).
     
   • Hearing attendance and case outcomes.
     
   • Sentencing details (plea date, sentence type and length, fines, restitution).
     

2. Data Repository

   • The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is designated as the repository for this information.
   • The Sentencing Guidelines Commission (SGC) oversees uniform data collection and reporting.

3. Sentencing Guidelines Commission Oversight

   • The SGC, in consultation with legal and law enforcement professionals, will advise on necessary data analyses and ensure comprehensive reporting.
   • The BCA must submit annual data reports to the SGC beginning in 2026.
   • The SGC will analyze trends and report on the state's criminal justice system.

4. Public Dashboard

   • By July 1, 2030, the BCA must create and maintain an interactive public dashboard for accessing criminal case data.
   • The dashboard will allow public searches to enhance transparency and research capabilities.

5. Appropriations

   • Funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 is allocated as follows:
     • To the Sentencing Guidelines Commission for implementation and grants to research organizations assessing historical criminal justice trends.
     • To the Department of Public Safety to provide grants for improving data collection processes, hiring staff, and upgrading case management systems.
     • To the BCA for costs associated with implementing the bill.

Purpose and Impact:

• The bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in Minnesota’s criminal justice system.
  
• By centralizing and standardizing criminal case data, it supports policy evaluation, public access to information, and legal system improvements.
  
• The initiative also aims to provide insights into pretrial practices, bail decisions, sentencing disparities, and overall criminal justice trends.

Would you like any additional details or clarifications?