HF 2283, the Minnesota Fair Chance Access to Housing Act, restricts landlords from denying rental applications based solely on an applicant's criminal record during initial screening. Landlords must disclose upfront if they consider criminal history and cannot evaluate it until after issuing a conditional offer. They may only consider specific serious offenses (like human trafficking, sexual assault, or recent felonies) after conducting an individualized assessment that weighs factors like the crime's severity, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Applicants denied housing must receive written notice within 24 hours explaining the reason and their right to request the landlord's supporting documents, with application fees refunded upon denial. The law directly affects landlords in Minnesota and applicants with criminal records seeking rental housing.
HF 2881 appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with the same amount continuing annually thereafter. This funding directly supports the task force's operations, enabling it to investigate and combat human trafficking within Minnesota. The bill provides specific, concrete financial resources without altering existing laws or creating new obligations.
HF 138 requires Minnesota's state agency (the commissioner) to gather and compile annual data on human trafficking within the state, replacing the previous biennial requirement. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 299A.785 to mandate yearly publication of this data, making it publicly available. The published report must include details on trafficking extent and nature, as well as other relevant information identified by the commissioner. This change directly affects how state agencies collect and share trafficking data, increasing the frequency of public reporting.
This bill appropriates $4.9 million from the general fund for the Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a base appropriation of $4.9 million continuing annually starting in 2028. The funding is directed to the commissioner of public safety to support the Task Force's operations. The bill directly affects the Task Force by providing dedicated state funding for its work on human trafficking investigations. It does not create new policies but ensures ongoing financial support for an existing state-level law enforcement initiative.
This bill increases penalties for individuals who engage in prostitution with minors or hire minors for sexual acts in Minnesota. It establishes tiered penalties based on the minor's age: up to 30 years in prison or $40,000 fine for offenses involving minors under 14, up to 20 years/$40,000 for those aged 14-15, and up to 15 years/$30,000 for those aged 16-17. The bill also increases penalties for hiring or agreeing to hire minors in all age groups, with fines up to $20,000 and prison terms up to 10 years for 14-17 year olds. These changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.
HF 543 appropriates state funds for county attorney offices to cover costs of attending anti-human trafficking training. The bill allocates money from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to reimburse all participating Minnesota county attorney offices equally for training expenses. This provides direct financial support to county prosecutors who handle human trafficking cases, ensuring consistent access to specialized training resources.
HF 3335 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment, removing the current exception in Minnesota's constitution that allows it for convicted criminals. The amendment would require voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the ballot question asking: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment for a crime?" If passed, it would ban forced labor as a penalty for any crime, affecting Minnesota's criminal sentencing laws. This change would eliminate a historical loophole in the state constitution that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for offenses.
This bill proposes amending Minnesota's constitution to explicitly ban slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. It would remove the current exception allowing such punishment for crimes, making it unconstitutional to force people into labor as part of a criminal sentence. The amendment would take effect if approved by voters in the 2026 general election, where the question would ask: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment for a crime?" This change directly affects all Minnesotans, particularly those in the criminal justice system, by eliminating a historical loophole in the state constitution.
This bill allows courts to sentence offenders below standard guidelines if they were victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking. It requires presentence reports to include information about such victimization and permits courts to order reduced sentences when the victimization contributed to the offense and serves the public interest. Offenders placed on probation may also be required to participate in trauma-focused treatment. The law applies to felony sentencing hearings starting August 1, 2025, and affects individuals convicted of crimes who were previously victims of these specific offenses.
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).
