Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

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).

HF 1288 increases presumptive sentence lengths for specific criminal sexual conduct crimes in Minnesota by 25%. It applies to violations of statutes covering sexual assault (Minnesota Statutes §§ 609.342-609.3458), requiring the Sentencing Guidelines Commission to adjust the 2025 sentencing grid. The increase does not apply when the offender held a position of authority over the victim (e.g., a teacher or supervisor). The changes take effect August 1, 2025, for crimes committed on or after that date.

SF 1609 clarifies a process for people convicted of certain felony murders to seek retroactive relief. It allows individuals convicted under Minnesota Statutes sections 609.185 (paragraph a, clause 3) or 609.19 (subdivision 2, clause 1) to petition courts if they prove they didn’t cause the death and either didn’t intentionally aid the killing or weren’t a major participant in the underlying felony. If approved, courts must vacate the original murder conviction and resentence the person for the most serious remaining offense, a related felony, or a lesser included offense. The bill ensures sentences don’t increase total confinement time and requires victim notification for any resentencing hearing.