SF688

SF688 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Use of force in self-defense provisions modifications

AI Generated Summary

Senate Bill SF No. 688 focuses on public safety and revises laws concerning self-defense. This bill aims to clarify when and how people can use force in self-defense situations by:

Eliminating the existing legal requirement that a person must retreat before using force in self-defense outside of their home.
Expanding the definition of "dwelling" to include more areas where a person can legally defend themselves without the need to retreat.
Creating a presumption that a person has the right to use force in self-defense under certain circumstances.

In summary, this legislation intends to make it easier for individuals to defend themselves and others by using reasonable force without the legal obligation to retreat when faced outside their homes. It also aims to more broadly define where these self-defense rights apply and asserts a presumed right to self-defense in specified situations.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 26, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 26, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
March 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author stricken
March 23, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author stricken

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New provisions clarifying use of force in self-defense situations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Clarifies elimination of duty to retreat outside the home."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the conditions under which force can be legally used as per Minnesota Statutes section 609.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Expands the boundaries considered as 'dwelling' for self-defense purposes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Presumption of right to self-defense introduced."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "Proposing changes to Minnesota Statutes section 609.065, related to the justification of the use of force in defense of dwelling.",
      "modified": [
        "Circumstances justifying the use of deadly force clarified."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.065"
  }
]