HF4141

Purpose

This bill adds a new subdivision to Minnesota law to protect employees and agents of housing and redevelopment authorities (HRAs) and entities with HRA powers. It creates criminal penalties for assaulting these workers when they are performing their duties or because of their job or affiliation.

Main Provisions

• Assault definition and penalties:
  • A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if they assault an employee or agent of a housing and redevelopment authority or of an entity exercising HRA powers, and the assault occurs while the victim is engaged in official duties or because of the victim’s employment or affiliation.
  • If the assault involves demonstrable bodily harm, the offense becomes a felony with potential imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to $4,000, or both.
• Scope of who is protected:
  • "Employee or agent" includes anyone employed by, under contract with, or acting on behalf of an HRA or an entity with HRA powers, whether paid or volunteering.
  • It covers a wide range of roles, including but not limited to property management, inspections, tenant services, housing programs, compliance, subsidy administration, legal representation, executive management, and policy/advisory roles.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Expands criminal protection to a broad set of individuals connected to HRAs, including volunteers and contracted workers.
• Creates a new offense and enhanced penalties specifically tied to assaults on HRA employees/agents during performance of duties or due to their employment or affiliation.
• Uses existing statute framework (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.2231) and references the broader authority of HRAs under chapter 469.

Practical Implications

• Potential deterrence against violence toward housing and redevelopment authority staff and volunteers/contractors.
• May affect how HRAs manage security and respond to incidents involving employees, agents, or volunteers.
• Clarifies protections for a wide range of personnel involved in housing services and redevelopment activities.

Definitions and Context (Key Terms)

• Housing and redevelopment authority (HRA)
• Employee
• Agent
• Official duties
• Demonstrable bodily harm
• Gross misdemeanor
• Felony
• Chapter 469
• Property management
• Inspections
• Tenant services
• Housing programs
• Subsidy administration
• Legal representation
• Executive management
• Policy and advisory roles
• Paid or volunteer

Relevant Terms housing and redevelopment authority employee agent official duties assault gross misdemeanor felony demonstrable bodily harm chapter 469 Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.2231 paid or volunteer property management inspections tenant services housing programs subsidy administration legal representation executive management policy and advisory roles