Slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment for a crime prohibited, and constitutional amendment proposed.

HF 3335 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment, removing the current exception in Minnesota's constitution that allows it for convicted criminals. The amendment would require voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the ballot question asking: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment for a crime?" If passed, it would ban forced labor as a penalty for any crime, affecting Minnesota's criminal sentencing laws. This change would eliminate a historical loophole in the state constitution that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for offenses.