HF3414

Purpose

The bill creates a new civil rights cause of action for violations that occur under color of law and sets rules for state and local law enforcement when they work with federal law enforcement agencies. It aims to ensure constitutional protections are followed in intergovernmental collaborations and to establish accountability for violations.

Main Provisions

• New civil rights claim (under color of law)

  • Any person in Minnesota who is deprived of rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution or the Minnesota Constitution, while acting under color of any U.S. or Minnesota statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, can sue for redress.
  • In addition to damages or other relief, courts must award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney fees and costs.
  • The action must be filed within six years after the rights were violated (accrual).

• Intergovernmental collaboration agreements

  • A state or local law enforcement agency may not join, form, or participate in any voluntary collaboration, task force, or partnership with a federal government agency unless the federal agency provides written agreement that it will abide by both the United States Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution.
  • The written agreement must also confirm that the federal agency’s officers, employees, or agents may be held liable under the new civil rights provision for any constitutional violations.

• Scope

  • Applies to state and local law enforcement collaborations with federal agencies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new section (604.51) to Minnesota law creating a civil rights claim for violations under color of law, with the possibility of damages, injunctive relief, and attorney fees for prevailing plaintiffs.
• Establishes a liability mechanism where federal agency personnel can be held liable under Minnesota law when operating under collaborative agreements that meet the written-acknowledgment requirements.
• Introduces a six-year statute of limitations for these civil rights actions.

Practical Implications

• Individuals harmed by constitutional violations in collaborations with federal agencies can bring suit and may recover attorney fees.
• State and local agencies must ensure any partnership with federal agencies includes a written commitment to constitutional standards and potential liability for federal personnel.
• Could affect how and when Minnesota law enforcement engages in joint operations with federal agencies.

Terminology & Key Concepts (from text)

• color of law, civil rights, United States Constitution, Minnesota Constitution
• intergovernmental collaboration agreements, collaboration task force, partnership
• federal government agency, state and local law enforcement agency
• liability, damages, injunction, attorney fees and costs
• accrual, six years

Relevant Terms - color of law - civil rights - United States Constitution - Minnesota Constitution - intergovernmental collaboration agreements - federal government agency - state and local law enforcement agency - liability - damages - injunction - attorney fees - costs - accrual - six years