HF3233

HF3233 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Risk level III predatory offender name changes made public information.

Related bill: SF3419

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to change how name changes are handled for individuals who are classified as risk level III predatory offenders in Minnesota. It is designed to enhance public safety by making certain name change information about these offenders publicly accessible.

Main Provisions

Public Information Requirement: The name change of a risk level III predatory offender must be disclosed to the public. The court granting the name change must report it to the Department of Corrections, the state patrol, and the local law enforcement agency where the offender lives.
Criminal History Check: When someone applies for a name change, the court must check their criminal history. If the applicant has a criminal record, the name change must be reported to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension within ten days.
Duty to Report: Both the court and the individual receiving a name change are required to report the change. Failure to do so results in a gross misdemeanor charge.
Exceptions: The requirement to report does not apply to name changes related to marriage, marriage dissolution, or those filed under a specific section of the law, except for risk level III offenders.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Prohibition on Name Change: A risk level III predatory offender cannot change their name if it would relieve them of their registration duties as a predatory offender.

Relevant Terms

Risk level III predatory offender
Public safety
Name change reporting
Criminal history
Department of Corrections
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Gross misdemeanor

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
April 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that a name change cannot relieve duties under this section for risk level III predatory offenders."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section relates to the registration of predatory offenders, specifying that a name change must not relieve a person from the duty to register as a risk level III predatory offender.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "243.166",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement that any name change for a risk level III offender be reported to various law enforcement and public entities."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section deals with the public notification of predatory offenders, specifically focusing on the requirements upon a name change.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "244.052",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Utilization of section 13.87 to define criminal history data for background checks in name change applications."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section involves the definition and access to criminal history data, which courts use to determine a person's criminal history during a name change application.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.87",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Exemption of marriage license-related name changes from criminal history check requirements for offenders."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section refers to applications for marriage licenses, from which certain name change provisions are exempt.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "517.08",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Exemption of marriage dissolution-related name changes from criminal history check requirements for offenders."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section deals with name changes during marriage dissolutions, which are exempt from certain restrictions.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "518.27",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Courts follow section 259.10 to check eligibility for name changes, including ensuring no intent to defraud."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Reference to requirements met for granting name changes unless intent to defraud is shown.",
      "modified": [
        "Additional reference to this section emphasizes its role in preventing fraudulent name changes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "259.10",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Exemption of certain name change requests under section 259.14 from broader restrictions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Identifies specific name change procedures that are exempt from certain criminal history checks.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "259.14",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]