Mitigated departures provided for certain offenders who have been victims, presentence investigation reports required to include certain information, certain offenders who have been victims allowed to apply for a pardon or for clemency, and Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission directed to include an additional mitigating factor.

HF 2976 allows courts to consider an offender's experience as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking when determining sentencing. It requires presentence investigation reports to include information about the offender's victimization history and permits these offenders to apply for pardons or clemency. The bill directs the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to add victimization as an official mitigating factor for sentencing decisions. These changes apply to felony sentencing hearings starting August 1, 2025, and aim to address how victimization history influences sentencing outcomes. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes sections 609.115 (presentence reports) and 609.1057 (sentencing considerations).