Public Safety Finance and Policy

HF 3769 clarifies and expands health care requirements for people in Minnesota's correctional facilities. It updates tuberculosis screening rules to require testing within 14 days of intake and annually, with options including blood tests or X-rays, and adds procedures for court-ordered testing if inmates refuse. The bill also requires correctional facilities to establish at least one mental health unit for short-term care and expands access by allowing transfers for "assessment, evaluation, or stabilization" when needed. Additionally, it aligns substance use disorder treatment programs with community standards while allowing flexibility for correctional settings. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals and staff across Minnesota's state correctional facilities.

HF 3453 amends Minnesota Statutes section 152.027 to raise the legal age for possessing kratom from 18 to 21 years. It makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell kratom to anyone under 21 and a misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to possess it. The bill directly affects minors under 21 and businesses selling kratom, prohibiting sales to this age group and restricting their possession. The change applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026. This is a substantive policy change altering age restrictions under Minnesota's controlled substances law.

This bill establishes a uniform process for handling firearm restrictions when children are involved in abuse cases or need protection services in Minnesota. It requires that petitions filed by individuals for children in need of protection include a description of any firearms believed to be possessed by the abusing party or present in the child's home. The legislation also mandates that courts prohibit abusing parties from possessing firearms for the duration of protective orders when specific conditions are met, and requires those individuals to transfer their firearms to licensed dealers, law enforcement, or other authorized parties within three business days. These changes directly affect judges, social service agencies, law enforcement, and individuals involved in child protection and domestic abuse proceedings.

HF 2358 increases penalties for coercion crimes that cause serious injury or death, imposing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison or a $30,000 fine for such cases. It replaces the previous penalty structure - which depended on monetary value (e.g., $300-$2,500 losses) - with this fixed felony penalty when coercion directly results in great bodily harm or death. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign by the public safety and education commissioners to inform the public and students about the law change, to begin by September 15, 2025, and repeat biennially. This law takes effect on August 1, 2026, applying to crimes committed after that date.

This bill requires law enforcement agencies to disclose the name, product number, and quantity of chemical irritants (like pepper spray) used during specific operations in buildings. It applies when officers execute search warrants, apprehend suspects, or attempt to apprehend suspects. Upon request, agencies must share this information with building owners, tenants, insurers, and cleaning/remediation service providers. The disclosure must be made regardless of data classification rules, ensuring transparency about chemical deployments. The bill directly affects law enforcement practices and building occupants' awareness of chemical exposure.