Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SF 3262: Access to expunged conviction records of applicants for licenses and positions in the private security industry authorization

SF 3262 allows private security industry license applicants and employees to have their expunged conviction records accessed during background checks without a court order. It amends Minnesota Statutes to specifically permit this access for evaluations under sections 326.3381 (licensing standards) and 326.336 (background check requirements). This affects individuals with expunged convictions seeking work in the private security sector, as employers can now review these records for licensing decisions. The bill does not change expungement eligibility but clarifies that such records may be accessed for this specific industry background check process. It applies to expungement orders issued before or after January 1, 2015.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill undermines expungement by allowing access to sealed records for security licensing, hindering reintegration and contradicting reform goals of reducing barriers for those with expunged convictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 284: Information collected and scope of background check conducted expanded for noncitizen permit to carry applicants.

HF 284 expands background checks for noncitizen applicants seeking a permit to carry firearms in Minnesota. The bill requires sheriffs to conduct an Immigration Alien Query (IAQ) check for noncitizens and mandates applicants to provide their country of birth and alien number. This amendment to Minnesota Statutes § 624.714 specifically modifies the application form requirements and investigation process for noncitizen applicants, adding these new data points and verification steps to the existing criminal record checks. The change directly affects noncitizen applicants by expanding the scope of information collected and verified during the background check process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands background checks for noncitizen firearm permit applicants, strengthening law enforcement screening under public safety protocols per bill's scope.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires IAQ checks for noncitizen firearm permits, mandating cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and restricting access to firearm permits for immigrants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SF 3353: Gun violence trauma reduction pilot program establishment and appropriation

SF 3353 establishes a Minnesota pilot program to reduce trauma from gun violence and address its root causes. The bill appropriates $5 million for the commissioner of health to fund community-based organizations providing healing services and training to individuals at high risk of gun violence or experiencing trauma from it. Key mechanisms include training community "trauma navigators" to help affected families access resources like housing, mental health care, and child care, and developing culturally appropriate education campaigns about gun violence and trauma. The program requires a report by February 2027 on its progress in reducing trauma and addressing root causes. It directly affects communities and families impacted by gun violence in Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M for trauma services, funding community programs to address gun violence root causes, advancing public health spending.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community trauma services to address root causes of gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of prevention and rehabilitation over punitive measures.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health care access via trauma navigators and community programs for gun violence trauma, directly supporting healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTrauma navigators help families access housing resources as part of program design, directly supporting housing access through resource coordination.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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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 · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SF 658: Person who steals a firearm requirement to report the theft promptly to law enforcement

SF 658 requires anyone who steals a firearm to report the theft to law enforcement within 48 hours. This directly affects individuals who commit firearm thefts, imposing penalties of a petty misdemeanor for first offenses, a misdemeanor for a second violation, and a gross misdemeanor for third or subsequent violations. Law enforcement agencies must also report stolen firearms to the state commissioner of public safety within seven days. The bill appropriates one-time funding for a reporting system to support this requirement, effective August 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by imposing penalties for failure to report firearm theft, a new offense beyond the original theft.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 10, 2025

HF 541: Reimbursement program established for use of force training, and money appropriated.

HF 541 establishes a $2.5 million reimbursement program to cover training costs for peace officers on use of force, including deadly force. Certified postsecondary schools providing approved in-service training must meet specific requirements, including scenario-based drills with nonlethal ammunition, stress management instruction, and de-escalation techniques. Schools receive $450 per officer completing the free training, which must be offered at no cost to officers or their law enforcement agencies. The program is administered by the Office of Higher Education using funds from the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.5M for officer training reimbursement, directly funding a public safety program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds de-escalation training with scenario drills and stress management, directly reducing use of force and aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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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 Feb 6, 2025

SF 1088: Law clarification on use of force in defense of home and person

Minnesota Senate File 1088 clarifies and expands self-defense laws regarding use of force in defense of home and person. The bill eliminates the requirement to retreat when using force outside one's home, expands the definition of "dwelling" to include occupied vehicles and their immediate surroundings (like porches or attached structures), and creates a legal presumption that a person entering a dwelling by stealth or force reasonably fears imminent harm. It specifically codifies that individuals may use deadly force to prevent a forcible felony in their home or vehicle, or when facing an imminent threat of serious injury or death. These changes directly affect residents defending their homes or vehicles against intruders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands self-defense rights, protecting individual civil rights by eliminating retreat requirement and clarifying dwelling definitions in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SF 692: Use of force training reimbursement program establishment and appropriation

This bill establishes a state-funded reimbursement program for postsecondary schools that provide certified in-service use-of-force training to peace officers in Minnesota. It appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund to reimburse schools $450 per officer for training that meets specific requirements, including scenario-based exercises with nonlethal ammunition, stress management instruction, de-escalation techniques, and bias training. The training must be free for peace officers and law enforcement agencies, and schools must submit officer details to the Office of Higher Education for reimbursement. The program directly affects certified peace officers and the educational institutions delivering their required training.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.5M from general fund to reimburse schools for officer training, directly allocating state budget funds for public safety program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds training requiring de-escalation, bias, and nonlethal scenario exercises to improve officer conduct and accountability in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $2.5M to reimburse higher education institutions for peace officer training, directly funding education sector programs per Education-Higher subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SF 76: Clarifying, codifying, and extending Minnesota's self-defense laws and modifying self defense provisions

SF 76 clarifies and codifies Minnesota's self-defense laws, directly affecting residents who use force in defense of their home, person, or vehicle. The bill eliminates the requirement to retreat when facing a threat outside one's home, expands the definition of "dwelling" to include occupied vehicles and temporary living spaces like tents, and creates a presumption that a person using force in their dwelling or vehicle had a reasonable fear of imminent harm. It specifies that deadly force is justified to prevent a felony in one's dwelling, stop an immediate threat of serious harm or death, or stop a forcible felony. These changes apply to all Minnesotans using force in self-defense situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands self-defense rights by eliminating retreat requirement, broadening 'dwelling' definition, and creating presumption of reasonable fear - protects individual civil rights within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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