SF222

Purpose

This bill adds a new rule about criminal history checks for tenant organizers who do not live at the rental property. It aims to give landlords a way to screen nonresident tenant organizers before they enter the property or exercise any rights under the tenant-organizing provisions.

Main Provisions

• A landlord may request a criminal history background check from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for a tenant organizer who is not a resident at the premises.
• The tenant organizer must fill out a criminal history consent form and pay the cost of the background check, equal to the actual cost to the landlord.
• A landlord may prohibit the tenant organizer from entering the premises or exercising any related rights if:
  • the organizer has been convicted of a crime of violence (as defined in Minn. Stat. 624.712, subdivision 5), or
  • the organizer refuses to consent to the background check.

How it changes current law

• The bill creates a new subdivision (2a) to Minn. Stat. 504B.212.
• It explicitly authorizes landlords to require and pay for a criminal history background check for nonresident tenant organizers before they can participate in organizing activities or access the premises.
• It establishes grounds for denial of entry or rights based on a violent-crime conviction or refusal to consent to the check.

Potential implications

• Increased screening of nonresident tenant organizers before they engage with residents or access the property.
• Financial and privacy considerations for tenant organizers due to background checks and cost reimbursement.
• Potential to limit or delay organizing efforts by nonresident organizers if checks reveal disqualifying information or if organizers refuse to consent.

Significant changes to existing law (summary)

• Adds Subdivision 2a to 504B.212 to authorize criminal history background checks for nonresident tenant organizers.
• Requires consent form submission and payment of the actual cost by the organizer.
• Delivers a concrete prohibition tool for landlords when a nonresident organizer has a violent-crime conviction or refuses the background check.

Relevant Terms - criminal history background check - nonresident tenant organizer - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension - superintendent - consent form - actual cost - crime of violence - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.712 subdivision 5 - Minn. Stat. 504B.212 - subdivision 2a - landlord - premises - rights under this section