Criminal Justice (Drug Policy) in Minnesota

in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 17, 2026

SF 5310: Nonconsensual creation, possession, and dissemination prohibition of nudification images

This bill makes it a crime in Minnesota to intentionally create, possess, or share images that have been digitally altered to show a person as nude or engaging in a sexual act without their consent. The law specifically targets "nudification images," which are realistic visual recordings where intimate parts or sexual acts were added to original photos or videos that did not originally show them. Penalties for violating this law include up to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000, with heavier sentences of up to ten years and a $20,000 fine for aggravating factors like profiting from the images, harassing the victim, or operating a website dedicated to this activity. The legislation also clarifies that consent to share a private image does not apply to these digitally altered versions and allows prosecutors to bring charges in the county where the crime occurred or where the victim lives.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · Minnesota · House May 17, 2026

HF 5157: Nonconsensual creation, possession, and dissemination of nudification images prohibited.

This bill makes it a crime in Minnesota to intentionally create or share images that digitally alter a person to appear nude or engaging in a sexual act without their consent. It specifically targets realistic images generated from original photos or videos where the individual was not originally depicted in that state. The law applies to anyone who knows or should know the person did not agree to the image being made or shared, and it covers cases where the person can be identified from the image or accompanying information. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, with harsher penalties of up to ten years or a $20,000 fine for aggravating factors like intent to profit, harassment, or operating a website dedicated to this activity.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Minnesota · House May 14, 2026

HF 5140: Ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines regulated; provisions for possessing dangerous weapons in schools, negligently storing firearms, and reporting on law enforcement firearms discharge modified; ghost guns criminalized; other gun safety provisions modified; and money appropriated.

This bill introduces new regulations in Minnesota to restrict the ownership and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, while also banning the sale of binary trigger systems. It expands criminal penalties for possessing dangerous weapons in schools and for negligently storing firearms, and it specifically criminalizes the manufacture and sale of untraceable "ghost guns." Additionally, the legislation strengthens the state's extreme risk protection order system, requires law enforcement to report firearm discharges more comprehensively, and allocates funding to support public awareness campaigns and mental health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

in committee · Minnesota · House May 17, 2026

HF 5160: Ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines regulated; provisions for possessing dangerous weapons in schools, negligently storing firearms, and reporting on firearms discharge by law enforcement modified; other firearm provisions modified; and money appropriated.

This bill introduces new regulations on the ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Minnesota. It also strengthens laws regarding dangerous weapons in schools, the negligent storage of firearms, and the reporting of firearm discharges by law enforcement. Additionally, the legislation reinstates a ban on binary triggers, criminalizes the manufacture of ghost guns, and updates procedures for extreme risk protection orders. To support these changes, the bill appropriates funds for a public awareness campaign on safety orders and administrative costs for certifying weapon ownership.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 3871: Venue in child sexual abuse material law provided; on-scene preview of digital evidence in child sexual abuse material investigations provided; possession, sale, creation, dissemination, and purchase of child-like sex dolls prohibited; and defense of duress modified to include victims of trafficking.

This bill makes several changes to Minnesota's laws regarding child sexual abuse material and trafficking. It expands where prosecutors can file cases involving child sexual abuse material to include the county where the accused or victim lives, as well as locations where the material was found or stored. The bill also allows law enforcement to quickly examine digital devices at the scene of an investigation to identify child sexual abuse material without needing a separate warrant, provided the original warrant covers this type of evidence. Additionally, it prohibits the possession, sale, creation, or purchase of child-like sex dolls and updates the legal defense of duress to include victims of trafficking. These measures aim to improve investigation efficiency and expand protections for victims while maintaining constitutional safeguards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SF 4178: Urinalysis test use limitation for supervised individuals

This bill limits when supervised individuals in Minnesota must submit to urinalysis drug tests by requiring reasonable suspicion of illicit drug use and documentation of that suspicion in the supervision authority's case management system. It directly affects people on parole, supervised release, or conditional release by establishing new conditions for drug testing under their supervision. The legislation also prohibits revoking release or sanctioning individuals solely for participating in the cannabis registry program or testing positive for cannabis components or metabolites. Additionally, the bill allows the commissioner of corrections to prohibit certain individuals from using specific cannabis products if they undergo a chemical use assessment and abstinence is recommended for their level of care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 4170: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines banned, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill prohibits the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota, affecting current owners and potential buyers of these firearms. It defines banned weapons by listing specific models and including any firearms with certain features like pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than ten rounds. The legislation establishes criminal penalties for violating these restrictions and amends existing state statutes to incorporate these new prohibitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 4474: Revocation and licensing requirements established for violations of impaired driving laws involving substances other than alcohol, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.

This bill establishes new licensing requirements for drivers impaired by substances other than alcohol, such as drugs or cannabis, in Minnesota. It defines specific violations related to drug and substance impairment and sets license revocation periods that vary based on prior driving incidents and whether the driver has a history of alcohol-related offenses. Drivers with prior impaired driving records who commit substance-related violations must use ignition interlock devices or complete testing requirements before regaining their licenses. The legislation also authorizes the state to create detailed rules for enforcement and appropriates funds for implementation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Driver Licensing

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 23, 2026

HF 4535: Peace officers authorized to use oral fluid screening of drivers to determine presence of drugs.

This bill authorizes Minnesota peace officers to use oral fluid screening devices to detect drugs in drivers suspected of driving while impaired. It allows officers to require a preliminary breath or oral fluid test when they have reason to believe a driver is violating impaired driving laws, including those involving commercial vehicles. If the screening test indicates drug presence or a high alcohol level, officers can then require a more comprehensive chemical test of blood, breath, or urine. The law also expands implied consent conditions to include situations where a screening test shows the presence of controlled substances or intoxicating substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 4292: Child sexual abuse provisions

This bill expands legal options for prosecuting child sexual abuse material cases by allowing prosecutors to choose from multiple counties for venue, including where the accused or victim lives or where the material was found. It also permits law enforcement to conduct immediate on-scene previews of digital devices to identify child sexual abuse material without needing a separate warrant, speeding up investigations while preserving data integrity. Additionally, the law prohibits the possession, sale, creation, and distribution of child-like sex dolls and strengthens legal protections for trafficking victims by modifying the defense of duress. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals involved in child sexual abuse material investigations and related activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

All criminal justice bills