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HF538 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Use of deadly force by peace officer to protect person from apparent death modified.

Related bill: SF1695

AI Generated Summary

This bill aims to revise the conditions under which a peace officer in Minnesota can use deadly force. It clarifies that deadly force can only be used if it is necessary to:

  1. Protect the officer or another person from an immediate threat of death or severe injury. The threat must be clearly outlined, likely to happen if no action is taken, and can only be stopped without delay by using deadly force.

  2. Arrest, capture, or prevent the escape of a person suspected of a felony, if the officer believes the suspect will cause death or great bodily harm to another unless quickly apprehended.

Additionally, the bill specifies that a peace officer should not use deadly force against a person solely because the person poses a danger to themselves, unless they also pose a threat of death or serious harm to others as per the specified criteria.

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toPublic Safety Finance and Policy
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies the circumstances justifying deadly force use by peace officers, including articulation of specific threats."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the conditions under which peace officers can use deadly force as outlined in section 609.066.",
      "modified": [
        "Revises the criteria and conditions considering the reasonableness of the threat and necessary use of deadly force."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.066"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References laws pertaining to general use of force which this amendment specifies exceptions for regarding deadly force by peace officers.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References provisions related to the justifiable taking of life which this amendment adds specifications to.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.065"
  }
]

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