SF 206 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Felony murder and aiding and abetting murder provisions modification, certain retroactive relief for certain aiding and abetting murder convictions authorization, and aiding and abetting felony murder task force revival

This bill modifies Minnesota's felony murder and aiding/abetting murder laws to set stricter standards for criminal liability. It requires that for felony murder convictions, a person must have been a "major participant" in the underlying felony who acted with "extreme indifference to human life" (e.g., using a deadly weapon or causing serious harm). For aiding/abetting murder convictions, it now requires proof the person intentionally aided with the specific intent to cause death. The bill also authorizes retroactive relief for some past aiding/abetting murder convictions and revives a task force to study these cases. These changes apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Mar 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates the legislative version of SF 206 from its introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting changes made during committee review. The most significant substantive change is the expansion of the relief program's geographic scope from being limited to Ramsey County to applying to all judicial districts in Minnesota. Additionally, the bill clarifies the legal standard for aiding and abetting murder and streamlines the administrative process by removing the requirement for a special master review.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was expanded from the Ramsey County District Court to the court administration of any judicial district where a conviction took place.

SCOPE

Expanded eligibility for retroactive relief from applicants in Ramsey County to applicants in any judicial district in Minnesota.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for a special master to review preliminary applications, shifting the responsibility directly to the chief judge of the relevant judicial district.

DEFINITION

Clarified the legal standard for aiding and abetting murder by removing specific references to 'clause (1)' and 'clause (2)' in favor of broader statutory references.

TIMELINE

Adjusted internal reference numbers in the petition filing timeline to align with the renumbered sections of the bill.

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors