SF 4176 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Various immigration policy provisions and appropriation

This bill limits Minnesota state and local government participation in federal civil immigration enforcement efforts, directing public resources toward local public safety priorities instead. It prohibits state agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, or arrest individuals for civil immigration violations and restricts where certain immigration-related arrests can occur. The legislation requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement agents and ensures education cannot be denied based on immigration status. Additionally, it creates a civil cause of action for constitutional rights violations related to immigration enforcement and includes funding provisions to support these changes.

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Mar 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 7 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

This bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant substantive changes to strengthen protections for immigrants and healthcare facilities. The most critical addition is a new 'Minnesota Bivens Act' that creates a private right of action allowing individuals to sue for civil rights violations related to immigration enforcement, including statutory damages and attorney fees. The bill also expands the definition of 'health care facility' to include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, broadening the scope of entities required to implement strict policies limiting law enforcement access and protecting patient privacy.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include nursing homes and assisted living facilities under the healthcare sanctity provisions, and a new standalone cause of action for civil rights violations was added.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new 'Minnesota Bivens Act' creating a private right of action for individuals to sue for civil rights violations related to immigration enforcement, allowing for actual damages, statutory damages of $1,000 per violation, and punitive damages.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for health care facilities to develop and implement policies regarding interactions with law enforcement agents engaged in civil immigration enforcement.

Added a new requirement for health care facilities to develop policies restricting the release of patient information to law enforcement agents unless a valid subpoena, court order, or warrant is presented.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'health care facility' to explicitly include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, extending protections to residents in those facilities.

Added a specific definition for 'judicial warrant' to clarify that it refers to written orders from state or federal courts directing an arrest.

TIMELINE

Removed the provision stating that the bill would be effective the day following final enactment, replacing it with a specific effective date of August 1, 2026.

SCOPE

Removed the specific reference to section 13.375 in the definition of 'injury,' narrowing the scope of protected grievances to those arising from violations of section 629.80.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Withdrawn and re-referred to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors