Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 1446: Penalties for crime of altering controlled substances with fentanyl provided.

HF 1446 makes it a felony to knowingly add fentanyl to other controlled substances or drugs (either by mixing or replacing the substance in a container), targeting individuals who illegally alter drugs with fentanyl. This directly affects people who adulterate or substitute substances with fentanyl, excluding medical professionals like pharmacists or nurses acting in their professional capacity. The bill creates specific penalties for these acts and applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025. It does not change existing laws for healthcare providers who handle controlled substances in their official roles.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates felony penalties for fentanyl adulteration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2025

HF 2980: Definitions related to controlled substances modified.

HF 2980 modifies definitions for "park zone," "school zone," and "public housing zone" in Minnesota law, reducing the surrounding distance from 300 feet to 100 feet (or one city block, whichever is greater). The bill directly affects how these zones are defined for enforcement of laws, including those related to controlled substances. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 152.01, by updating subdivisions 12a (park zone), 14a (school zone), and 19 (public housing zone). The changes clarify the boundaries of these zones where certain legal restrictions apply. Note: The bill's title mentions "controlled substances," but the actual content modifies zone definitions, not substance-related provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill reduces enforcement zones for controlled substances, expanding criminalization near schools/parks and increasing penalties for offenses in these areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SF 2591: Organizations eligible for grants engagement with youth community organizations requirement

SF 2591 requires organizations applying for state grants under Minnesota Statutes 342.70 to include a description of their engagement with youth-centered community organizations serving youth aged 14-24 most impacted by cannabis-related usage, criminalization, or incarceration. This applies specifically to grant applicants seeking funding for community investments. The bill mandates this engagement detail as part of the grant application process, alongside other required elements like community need analysis and cost estimates. Additionally, the bill requires at least 50% of annual grants to support youth civic engagement, leadership, and health education opportunities, with priority for communities affected by cannabis-related criminalization.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires grant applicants to detail engagement with youth impacted by criminalization/incarceration, promoting targeted support for justice-affected communities per bill's focus on cannabis-related justice impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 1, 2025

SF 3470: Definition of sell in the controlled substances chapter of law modification

This bill (SF 3470) amends Minnesota's controlled substances law by updating the legal definition of "sell" in Statute 152.01, subdivision 15a. It expands the definition to explicitly include giving away, bartering, delivering, exchanging, distributing, or disposing of controlled substances, as well as offering to do so or possessing with intent to perform these acts. The change directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts handling drug-related cases under Minnesota's controlled substances chapter. The amendment takes effect the day after final enactment, clarifying what constitutes a "sale" for legal purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of drug-related activities by broadening 'sell' definition to include distribution/giving away, increasing prosecution scope under controlled substances law.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 23, 2026

HF 391: Enforcement of judicially ordered firearms restrictions provided for abusing parties.

HF 391 requires courts to automatically prohibit abusive parties from possessing firearms when issuing certain domestic abuse protection orders. Specifically, if a court order restrains harassment/stalking and finds the abuser poses a credible threat to a child's safety, it must bar firearm possession for the order's duration. The bill mandates that abusive parties transfer all firearms within three business days to a licensed dealer, law enforcement, or a legally permitted third party. This applies to orders issued after a hearing where the abuser received notice and had a chance to participate. The law aims to enforce existing court orders by creating a clear, time-bound process for firearm removal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires automatic firearm bans for domestic abusers posing child safety threats, aligning with criminal justice reform to prevent violence and protect victims, reducing recidivism risk.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2025

HF 2594: Protections related to interviews of child abuse victims clarified to apply to all recordings; changes to terms used in statutes that punish creation, distribution, and possession of sexually explicit materials involving children proposed; and conforming changes made.

HF 2594 clarifies that protections for child abuse victim interviews apply to all types of recordings, not just videos, and updates terminology in statutes addressing child sexual abuse materials. The bill amends multiple Minnesota statutes (including 13.821, 144.296, and 617.246) to ensure court procedures for handling recordings of child victims are consistent and to modernize definitions of prohibited materials. It directly affects legal proceedings involving child abuse cases, law enforcement handling evidence, and individuals facing charges related to child sexual abuse materials. The changes aim to strengthen victim privacy protections and ensure statutory language accurately reflects current practices for prosecuting such offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies victim interview protections to all recordings and modernizes statutes for child abuse cases, strengthening victim-centered procedures in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies data privacy protections for all recordings (including digital) in child abuse cases, updating statutes to modernize handling of digital evidence under Data Practices and Privacy subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2025

HF 2856: State government comprehensive substance use and addiction plan required.

HF 2856 requires Minnesota's state government to develop and publish a comprehensive plan addressing substance use and addiction. The bill mandates that the subcabinet (within the state government structure) create policies and strategies to reduce barriers to treatment, expand recovery infrastructure like detox facilities and sober housing, and specifically address needs in communities disproportionately impacted by addiction and among people experiencing homelessness. All state agencies operating substance use prevention, treatment, or recovery programs must align their annual goals and budgets with this statewide plan. The new Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Section within the Department of Human Services will coordinate these efforts and oversee implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands recovery infrastructure and addresses addiction in high-impact communities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism through rehabilitation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive plan to reduce treatment barriers and expand recovery infrastructure (detox, sober housing) for substance use/addiction, directly advancing healthcare access and mental health services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requires expansion of 'sober housing' as recovery infrastructure, specifically addressing needs of people experiencing homelessness, aligning with housing support for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse Homelessness Land Use

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 10, 2025

HF 2091: Residual amount defined in relation to controlled substances.

HF 2091 defines "residual amount" for controlled substances as any quantity that is not usable, even if it could still have a pharmacological effect. This definition will be used in Minnesota courts and law enforcement for drug-related cases, such as possession charges involving small quantities of regulated drugs. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 152.01, to include this specific definition, effective August 1, 2025, with retroactive application to all cases occurring before that date. This change provides a clear, consistent standard for legal proceedings involving controlled substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDefines 'residual amount' as non-usable, reducing minor drug possession charges for trace quantities, aligning with criminal justice reform by limiting overcriminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 21, 2025

SF 471: Dangerous weapons in public libraries prohibition

SF 471 prohibits possessing dangerous weapons in public libraries under Minnesota law. It makes unauthorized possession a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, while allowing licensed firearm permit holders to carry weapons (as a misdemeanor) and exempting licensed peace officers. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.66 and applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025. It directly affects library patrons, staff, and law enforcement by defining legal boundaries for weapon possession in public library buildings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony offense for weapon possession in libraries, expanding criminalization. Does not promote reform; instead, increases penalties for a specific public safety violation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 21, 2025

SF 319: Crime of altering controlled substances with fentanyl penalty establishment

Minnesota Senate Bill 319 makes it a felony to knowingly mix fentanyl into other controlled substances or drugs, or to replace the contents of drug packages with fentanyl. This directly affects individuals who alter or substitute drugs with fentanyl, such as those who add fentanyl to counterfeit pills or drugs without warning. The bill establishes specific penalties for these acts, including modifying drug containers to contain fentanyl, while exempting medical professionals like pharmacists and doctors acting in their professional roles. The law will take effect on August 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill establishes felony penalties for fentanyl drug alterations, expanding criminalization of drug offenses without reform elements or reduced sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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