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HF1998 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Victim notification extension to order for protection and harassment restraining order violations not prosecuted

Related bill: SF2099

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to enhance victim protection and support by expanding and clarifying the notification requirements for law enforcement and prosecutors in Minnesota. It focuses on ensuring victims of certain crimes are informed of their rights and available services, even when cases are not prosecuted.

Main Provisions

  • Expanded Victim Notification: The bill extends victim notification requirements to include situations where violations of protection orders or harassment restraining orders are not prosecuted.
  • Updated Notification Procedures: It mandates updates to the model notices informing crime victims of their rights and available victim services.
  • Prosecutorial Communication: Prosecutors must make reasonable efforts to notify victims if charges of domestic assault, criminal sexual conduct, harassment, or stalking are not pursued. This includes documenting reasons for dismissal and informing victims of alternative protective measures such as restraining orders.
  • Informational Notices: Law enforcement and prosecutorial offices must provide written notices detailing victim rights, available legal protections, and community resources.
  • Distribution of Notices: Supplemental notices are required in homicide cases, as well as cases involving juvenile offenders.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Mandatory Notification Expansion: Previously, notifications were not mandated for cases where protection orders were violated but not prosecuted. This bill requires such notifications.
  • Greater Detail and Clarity in Notices: The bill requires more comprehensive information to be shared with victims about their rights and the prosecution process.
  • Specific Communication Channels: It defines the priority of communication methods (telephone, email, mail) to notify victims about decisions not to prosecute.

Relevant Terms

  • Victim notification
  • Domestic violence
  • Harassment restraining order
  • Order for protection
  • Criminal sexual conduct
  • Prosecutorial discretion
  • Victim services
  • Juvenile court proceedings

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionReceived from House
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 31, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
April 02, 2025HouseFloorActionThird reading
April 02, 2025HouseFloorActionBill was passed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Updates to model notices of the rights of crime victims."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends victim notification requirements for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors under section 611A.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies notification procedures for victims at initial contact."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "611A.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement to furnish immediate written notice including legal rights."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes notification details provided by peace officers to victims of domestic violence under section 629.341.",
      "modified": [
        "Oral notification about available services."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "629.341",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the withholding of public access to certain victim identity data.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on withholding rules for victim identity data."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.82",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References rights and procedures available under Minnesota Statutes related to victims of crime.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "524.2-803",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines violation related to orders for protection.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies procedural information regarding orders for protection."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "518B.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Defines violation related to harassment restraining orders.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification of definitions related to violations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.748",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  }
]

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