Criminal penalties for crimes committed because of the victim's political affiliation or beliefs modification

SF 967 increases criminal penalties for crimes motivated by bias against a victim's political affiliation or beliefs. It amends Minnesota law to specifically include "political affiliation or beliefs" as a protected characteristic, expanding existing bias crime protections. For offenses like assault or property damage committed because of a victim's political views, penalties increase to up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine for first offenses, and up to one year for repeat offenses. The bill applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, and affects anyone who targets others based on their political identity.