Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3801: Tax donation checkoff authorized to benefit crime victims.

HF 3801 adds a voluntary tax donation checkoff option for Minnesota taxpayers to support crime victims. The bill requires tax preparers to notify individual and corporate clients filing income tax returns or property tax refund claims about designating $1 or more to be added to their tax payment or deducted from their refund. This donation would fund the Minnesota Victims of Crime Account, with notifications included alongside tax preparation documents. The provision becomes effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027. It directly affects taxpayers who file Minnesota income or property tax returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesVoluntary tax checkoff funds Minnesota Victims of Crime Account, supporting public safety budget through taxpayer donations without increasing taxes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates tax donation checkoff to fund crime victim services, directly supporting victims within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Victims' Rights

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 15, 2026

SF 3871: Judge requirement to inquire whether victim has been notified of plea and sentencing hearings

SF 3871 requires judges to ask during plea hearings whether victims have been notified about the plea agreement and sentencing. It expands victim notification rights by informing victims about eligibility for automatic expungement of their offense and protecting minor victims' identities in court documents. The bill also adds protections against employer retaliation for stalking victims and strengthens confidentiality for victim information in prosecutors' petitions. These changes directly affect victims in criminal cases, courts, and prosecutors handling plea agreements and sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim notification rights, protects minor victims' identities, and strengthens confidentiality in court proceedings - directly advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 3962: Inmates requirement to complete restitution payments before being placed on supervision abatement status

This bill requires inmates to pay all court-ordered restitution before becoming eligible for "supervision abatement status," which is a reduced supervision level after serving time. It directly affects individuals on supervised release who have restitution obligations, as they cannot transition to this lower supervision tier until payments are fully completed. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 244.46 to add this requirement, overriding previous eligibility rules that considered time served and public safety factors. This change applies to all supervised release terms, including conditional release for life sentences. The policy does not alter existing public safety risk assessments or time-served calculations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires full restitution payment before lower supervision eligibility, delaying release and increasing financial barriers for defendants - restricts defendant rights per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SF 3820: Tax donation checkoff authorization to benefit crime victims

SF 3820 would allow Minnesota taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $1 or more to the Minnesota Victims of Crime Account when filing state income taxes or property tax refunds. Tax preparers must provide written notice of this option to all individual and corporate clients during tax preparation, including a designated line for contributions on tax forms. This change affects all Minnesota taxpayers who file income tax returns and tax preparers who handle those returns, requiring them to include the donation notification. The bill adds a new provision (Subd. 5c) to Minnesota tax law, effective for tax years starting in 2028. It does not require contributions but makes the donation option standard for tax preparers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows voluntary taxpayer contributions to fund crime victim programs via tax forms, directing existing tax process toward public safety funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes voluntary tax donations to fund crime victim services, directly supporting victims within the criminal justice system through dedicated funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Victims' Rights

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passed · Minnesota · House Apr 21, 2026

HF 3496: Supervision abatement status policy modified relating to corrections.

HF 3496 requires inmates to pay all court-ordered restitution before becoming eligible for "supervision abatement status," which allows them to transition off active supervision. This change directly affects individuals on supervised release or conditional release terms who have earned compliance credits through good behavior. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 244.46 to add that restitution payment is a mandatory prerequisite for eligibility, overriding previous rules that allowed placement based solely on earned credits and time served. It does not alter existing safety risk assessments but adds payment as a strict eligibility condition. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, having been referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires restitution payment before supervision release, restricting eligibility beyond behavioral compliance and creating financial barriers to reentry.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SF 3805: Crime Victims tax donation checkoff authorization

SF 3805 creates a voluntary tax donation checkoff for Minnesota taxpayers to contribute $1 or more to the Minnesota Victims of Crime Account. It requires tax preparers to notify all individual and corporate clients filing income tax returns or property tax refund claims about this option during tax preparation. Taxpayers can designate the donation directly on their return, with funds added to their tax payment or deducted from their refund. The provision applies to all Minnesota taxpayers filing returns and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027. The bill does not mandate donations but provides a new way for taxpayers to support crime victim services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes voluntary tax donations to fund victim services, directly supporting crime victim assistance within the criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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signed · Minnesota · Senate May 26, 2026

SF 3432: Safety and security measures appropriation

This bill establishes a new "public safety radio and crime victims account" funded by a 50-cent monthly fee on wireless and wire-line telecommunications services (excluding prepaid wireless). The fee applies to each customer access line or basic service, with proceeds deposited into the account to cover two specific purposes: purchasing interoperable public safety radio equipment for Minnesota's statewide emergency response system, and providing grants to crime victim service providers. The bill amends existing telecom fee statutes to create this dedicated funding stream and requires annual reporting on how the funds are used. It does not change the existing 95-cent fee for general 911 service maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new funding source (telecom fee) to purchase public safety equipment and support crime victims, directly increasing government spending for essential services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds crime victim service providers and public safety equipment, directly supporting victim services and emergency response within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Victims' Rights

died · Minnesota · House Apr 30, 2026

HF 3230: Public safety radio and crime victims account established, report required, and money appropriated.

HF 3230 creates two dedicated funding streams: a new 50-cent monthly fee on telecom customers (excluding prepaid wireless) to support public safety radio equipment and crime victim services. Funds collected will be deposited into two separate accounts: one for upgrading statewide emergency radio systems and another for grants to crime victim service providers. The bill requires annual reports on how these funds are used and specifies that fees must be collected by telecom providers and submitted monthly. This directly affects telecom companies (who collect the fee), public safety agencies (receiving radio system funding), and local crime victim service organizations (receiving grants).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds crime victim services and public safety radio upgrades, directly supporting victim protection and law enforcement infrastructure within criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 762: Victim of a crime prohibited from being charged of a crime for towing or impounding a motor vehicle, sale prohibited of motor vehicle that is a crime victim's vehicle for 180 days, reimbursement provided for a crime victim's vehicle that is sold by a unit of government, charging the victim of a crime prohibited for any crime or fee, and law enforcement agencies required to investigate reports of stolen vehicles and provide an update on that investigation.

HF 762 protects crime victims whose vehicles were stolen or involved in certain accidents (like hit-and-runs) by prohibiting fees for towing or impounding their vehicles and banning sales of these vehicles for 180 days. It requires government agencies to reimburse victims if they sell a crime victim's vehicle and forbids charging victims any fines or fees related to their vehicle. The bill also mandates law enforcement to investigate stolen vehicle reports and provide victims with regular updates on the investigation status. These provisions directly affect victims of vehicle theft or crime-related accidents in Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects crime victims from fees/fines related to stolen vehicles and mandates law enforcement investigations/updates, aligning with victim rights and accountability in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2025

HF 1998: Victim notification to order for protection and harassment restraining order violations not prosecuted extended, and victim notification requirements clarified and updated for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.

HF 1998 clarifies and updates victim notification procedures for law enforcement and prosecutors when cases involving domestic assault, criminal sexual conduct, harassment, stalking, or violations of protection orders are not prosecuted. The bill requires prosecutors to notify victims via phone first, then email or mail, and to document dismissal reasons - especially if a witness is unavailable - while also informing victims about obtaining protection orders without fees. It updates the model notices that must be provided to victims at initial contact and after charges, including current information on victim services, reparations, and support resources. These changes standardize and improve communication to ensure victims consistently understand their rights and available assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies victim notification procedures for domestic violence cases, enhancing victim rights and transparency in prosecution decisions within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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