HF 286 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Local units of government authorized to conduct criminal background checks under certain circumstances.

HF 286 allows local governments (such as cities or counties) to conduct criminal background checks on individuals in specific situations, like for certain employment or licensing roles. The bill authorizes these checks under defined circumstances without requiring state-level approval. It becomes effective on August 1, 2025, after receiving gubernatorial approval on May 15, 2025. This change directly affects local government entities and the individuals subject to these background checks.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 15, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Feb 26, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting legislative amendments. The most significant change is the removal of provisions allowing criminal background checks for job applicants, limiting the authority to only check individuals seeking business licenses. Additionally, the definition of 'applicant for licensure' was expanded to include corporate officers and directors, and the scope of licensed businesses now explicitly includes adult entertainment establishments and massage services.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed from covering both employment applicants and license applicants to covering only license applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the authority for counties and cities to conduct criminal background checks on individuals seeking employment.

Updated the list of licensable businesses to explicitly include adult entertainment establishments and massage services.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'applicant for licensure' to include corporate officers, directors, managers, and partners, not just individual owners.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the outcome of the background check process from determining disqualification from employment or licensure to only determining disqualification from licensure.

Floor votes · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 15, 2025

Signed into law

Governor's action Approval 05/15/25

executive

May 15, 2025

Introduced

Secretary of State, Filed 05/15/2025

lower

May 15, 2025

Signed into law

Governor approval 05/15/2025

executive

May 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third reading Passed

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass and re-referred to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Received from House

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Bill was passed

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Elections Finance and Government Operations

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors