SF206

SF206 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Felony murder and aiding and abetting murder provisions modification, certain retroactive relief for certain aiding and abetting murder convictions authorization, and aiding and abetting felony murder task force revival

Related bill: HF1575

AI Generated Summary

The bill SF No 206 aims to reform how individuals are held legally responsible in cases of felony murder and aiding and abetting murder. Specifically, it revises the conditions under which someone can be found criminally liable when another person causes a death. Key changes include:

Introducing stricter criteria for criminal liability in cases where someone aids, advises, or conspires with another person to commit murder, requiring intentional action and explicit intent to cause death.
Redefining liability for being a major participant in a felony that leads to death, focusing on actions displaying extreme indifference to human life and direct participation like using or providing a deadly weapon, causing substantial harm, or impeding help during the felony.
It also proposes retroactive relief for certain past convictions under these crimes, meaning some previously convicted individuals might have their cases reevaluated under the new standards.
Additionally, the bill calls for reviving a task force dedicated to studying and reporting on issues related to aiding and abetting in felony murders.

Overall, these changes aim to make the legal standards for implicating someone in crimes leading to death more precise and to ensure these standards focus on the individual’s direct intentions and actions.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
March 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	State and Local Government
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	State and Local Government
March 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to	State and Local Government

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new exception for criminal liability when intent cannot be proven."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies legal accountability provisions under Minnesota Statutes section 609.05.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies requirements for criminal liability in aiding and abetting contexts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.05"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specifies intent and premeditation as necessary conditions for liability."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends conditions under which a person can be held liable for felony murder under section 609.185.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts language to account for intent and conspiracy in liability."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.185"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Defines 'major participant' and sets these conditions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Updates to second-degree murder specifications under section 609.19.",
      "modified": [
        "Detailed circumstances for liability focus on intent and participation level."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.19"
  }
]