Minneslate Logo

SF3376 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Certain exonerated individuals preliminary monetary damages payment authorization provision, exoneration compensation account in the special revenue fund establishment provision, and appropriation

Related bill: HF3000

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to support individuals who have been wrongly convicted and later exonerated by providing them with financial compensation. It proposes changes to Minnesota law to create a specific fund and process for compensating these individuals promptly and fairly for the time they were wrongfully incarcerated.

Main Provisions

  • Preliminary Monetary Damages: It authorizes the payment of preliminary monetary damages to exonerated individuals. The compensation amounts to $5,000 for each year of wrongful incarceration and $2,500 for each year spent under supervised release or as a registered predatory offender.
  • Exoneration Compensation Account: Establishes an account in the state treasury's special revenue fund dedicated to paying these preliminary damages.
  • Compensation Process: Specifies that if a prosecutor joins the exoneration petition, the claimant is eligible for early compensation, thus streamlining the process without further court proceedings.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Changes to Compensation Eligibility: Modifies the conditions under which an individual is presumed eligible for compensation. If a prosecutor agrees that a conviction would not have occurred with full knowledge of the circumstances, compensation becomes nearly automatic.
  • New Fund Establishment: The bill creates a new exoneration compensation account, ensuring that sufficient funds are available for preliminary payments to wrongly convicted individuals.
  • Funding Appropriation: It outlines the transfer of $250,000 from the general fund to the exoneration compensation account, with ongoing funding ensured to maintain this balance for future claimants.

Relevant Terms

  • Exonerated individuals
  • Wrongful conviction
  • Preliminary monetary damages
  • Special revenue fund
  • Supervised release
  • Registered predatory offender
  • Compensation account

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 10, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 10, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 10, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section references the process for proof and procedures related to compensation claims.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "590.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the process of notice and acceptance of compensation awards under section 611.365.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies that this subdivision does not apply to preliminary monetary damages pursuant to subdivision 8."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "611.365",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

Sponsors