This bill prohibits individuals convicted of using a commercial vehicle for specific felony offenses from ever operating such vehicles again. It directly affects commercial drivers convicted of felony drug crimes (under Chapter 152) or certain human trafficking offenses (under sections 609.281, 609.282, or 609.322). The key provision mandates a permanent disqualification by the commissioner upon conviction for these offenses. The law applies to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2025.
HF 2869 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to create a survivor employment readiness pilot program. The funding supports Avivo, a nonprofit, in providing direct services to survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse as they seek employment. Key provisions include covering costs for childcare, transportation, housing, legal aid, interview clothing, technology, and Internet access, while also requiring public outreach and corporate training about survivors' workforce reentry challenges. This is a one-time appropriation, specifically targeting services statewide with continued focus in the St. Cloud area.
This bill requires Minnesota's Director of Child Sex Trafficking Prevention to submit an annual program evaluation to the legislature every odd-numbered year. The evaluation must assess whether the statewide safe harbor program for sexually exploited youth is effectively reaching intended victims and if support services (like housing and counseling) are accessible and adequate. It also mandates examining outcomes such as improved identification of victims, coordination of investigations, and whether penalties under related laws fund victim services. The bill does not change the program's structure but establishes a regular reporting requirement for legislative oversight. (This is a procedural requirement affecting the Director's reporting duties, not the program itself.)
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 1874 requires a lifetime ban on operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) for drivers who use a CMV to commit specific felony offenses. The ban applies to crimes involving controlled substances (like drug trafficking) or forced labor/human trafficking offenses. This law, effective August 1, 2025, also imposes civil penalties for such violations. It directly affects commercial drivers convicted of these crimes by permanently prohibiting them from operating CMVs.
HF 2351 increases criminal penalties for human trafficking and prohibits employers from knowingly hiring individuals without legal work authorization in the U.S. It requires state agencies providing assistance to people without legal status to report annual spending by December 15, including goods, services, and costs. Employers violating the hiring ban face fines of $1,000-$10,000 per violation and potential license suspension, while using fake IDs to verify employment becomes a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to strengthen enforcement of immigration-related employment rules and reporting 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 repeals a provision in Minnesota law that previously barred charging individuals with attempting sexual extortion. It allows prosecutors to file attempt charges for sexual extortion attempts, which were previously unchargeable under Minnesota Statutes 609.3458, subdivision 3. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025, directly affecting individuals who make threats to coerce sexual acts without completing the act. This policy shift enables legal accountability for preparatory acts in sexual extortion cases.
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.
