HF 538 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Deadly force by peace officer modified to protect person from death.

HF 538 modifies Minnesota's law on when police may use deadly force, specifically preventing officers from using lethal force solely to stop a person from harming themselves (e.g., in a suicide situation). The bill requires that if an officer uses deadly force to protect someone from apparent death, they must instead reasonably believe the person poses an immediate threat of death or serious injury to others, meeting specific criteria like the threat being specific, likely to occur, and needing immediate action. This change directly affects Minnesota police officers and individuals in crisis, aiming to limit unnecessary lethal force while maintaining existing standards for protecting officers or the public from violence.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action Apr 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction 1st Engrossment · 3 edits · Apr 7, 2025
MINOR
The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting a change in the bill's title from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment' and updating the posted date to June 3, 2025. The most significant substantive change involves the removal of the word 'apparent' from the conditions under which a peace officer may use deadly force, thereby requiring an actual threat of death rather than a perceived one.
Scope change
The scope of the law was narrowed regarding the justification for using deadly force, as the requirement for an 'apparent' threat of death was removed.
REQUIREMENT

The legal standard for using deadly force was changed by removing the word 'apparent,' meaning officers can no longer rely on a perceived or potential threat of death as justification; the threat must be real.

DEFINITION

The phrase 'known to the officer' was expanded to include 'perceived by the officer,' broadening the circumstances considered when evaluating the necessity of force.

TECHNICAL

The document title and posting date were updated to reflect the bill's progression to its first engrossment stage.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report, to adopt as amended
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors