HF4551
Strip searches in state correctional facilities limited.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: SF4949
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to reform how searches are conducted for incarcerated people in state correctional facilities. It seeks to reduce or limit strip searches, replacing some of them with less invasive screening options, while still allowing strip searches when there is a clearly documented security need.
Main Provisions
- Adds a new subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 243.48 to govern searches conducted in relation to visits.
- Allows the chief executive officer of a state correctional facility to authorize the use of a body scanner or other minimally invasive screening methods to screen an incarcerated person before or after a meeting with a visitor.
- Prohibits a strip search of an incarcerated person before or after a meeting with a visitor unless there is a credible documented security concern that justifies the strip search.
- Requires that any authorization for body scanning or minimally invasive screening be made pursuant to rules adopted by the commissioner of corrections.
How it Changes Existing Law
- Replaces or restricts routine strip searches around visitor meetings with a standard that requires a credible, documented security justification for such searches.
- Establishes body scanners and other minimally invasive screening methods as permissible alternatives, subject to commissioner-approved rules.
- Introduces a formal process: authorization is given by the facility’s chief executive officer under the rules set by the commissioner.
Implementation and Oversight
- Rules framework: The commissioner must adopt rules outlining when and how body scanners or other minimally invasive methods may be used.
- Administrative roles: The chief executive officer of each state correctional facility has authority to authorize these screening methods within the rules.
Potential Impacts
- Privacy and dignity: Reduces invasive searches for most visitor encounters, potentially improving inmate and visitor experience.
- Security considerations: Maintains safety by requiring a credible security justification for strip searches.
- Operational considerations: Requires policy development and training to implement new screening methods consistently across facilities.
Practical Notes
- This text reflects a change specifically related to searches that occur in the context of visits, and it adds a pathway to use body scanning technology as an alternative to strip searches when appropriate under established rules.
Relevant Terms - body scanner - minimally invasive screening - screen an incarcerated person - meeting with a visitor - strip search - credible documented security concern - state correctional facility - chief executive officer - commissioner - rules - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 243.48 - Subd. 3 - authorization - privacy - security
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds Subdivision 3 to Minn. Stat. §243.48 establishing a prohibition on strip searches incidental to visits.",
"Authorizes the use of body scanners or other minimally invasive screening methods during visits."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill adds Subd. 3 to Minnesota Statutes, section 243.48, to restrict strip searches of incarcerated persons in connection with visits, prohibiting such searches unless there is a credible documented security concern, and authorizing body scanners or other minimally invasive screening methods.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 243.48",
"subdivision": "Subd. 3"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee