SF 4406 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Certain exclusions in homeowner's insurance policies prohibited when damage is done by a peace officer

This bill prohibits homeowner's insurance policies in Minnesota from excluding coverage for property damage caused by peace officers using chemical irritants, smoke screens, or distraction devices. It applies to policies offered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, and requires insurers to provide coverage when homeowners are entitled to compensation from local governments under existing state law. The legislation does not change the government's obligation to pay compensation but prevents insurance companies from denying claims related to this specific type of damage.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Apr 22, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating significant policy changes to expand homeowner insurance protections. The scope was broadened to include 'diversionary devices' alongside chemical irritants and smoke screens, and the definition of 'just compensation' was expanded to cover innocent third parties. New requirements were added to allow homeowners to select their own mitigation contractors and industrial hygienists, while also establishing a legal presumption that insurer payments are reasonable and must be reimbursed by local governments unless fraud or bad faith is proven.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include damage caused by diversionary devices in addition to chemical irritants and smoke screens, and it now explicitly covers innocent third parties in addition to homeowners.

REQUIREMENT

The list of prohibited insurance exclusions was updated to include 'diversionary devices' alongside chemical irritants and smoke screens.

Insurers are now required to allow homeowners to choose their own mitigation contractors and industrial hygienists for assessing and remediating damage.

ELIGIBILITY

Coverage eligibility was expanded to include innocent third parties who are entitled to just compensation under existing law.

DEFINITION

A new definition for 'industrial hygienist' was added, specifying credentials from the Board for Global EHS Credentialing or equivalent national/international bodies.

ENFORCEMENT

Payments made by insurers in good faith are now presumed reasonable and necessary, with reimbursement from local governments only deniable upon proof of fraud or bad faith.

Insurers are granted the right to recover paid amounts plus attorney fees and costs if a local government unit fails to provide required reimbursement.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor