Rep. Paul Novotny

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called disruption of worship services in Minnesota, targeting individuals who enter religious buildings with the intent to disrupt scheduled services by committing a crime. The law defines a religious establishment as a building used for worship that is clearly marked with a sign or other identifier. First-time offenders face gross misdemeanor charges, while repeat offenders could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $10,000 or both. The provisions take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how Minnesota counties can take over state correctional services and outlines how benefits are handled for employees during the transition. It requires counties that assume jurisdiction to file a formal resolution with the commissioner of corrections and specifies that displaced probation officers and other staff must retain their salary, seniority, and accrued benefits like sick leave and vacation. The legislation also establishes that the state pays benefits earned during state employment before the transition, while counties are responsible for benefits earned during county employment before the state took over. Additionally, the bill appropriates $150,000 in 2027 to reimburse counties for fringe benefit costs related to state collective bargaining agreements and requires a report by January 2028 detailing how the funds were distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for misconduct by public officers and employees in Minnesota by increasing potential fines and prison sentences. It directly affects government officials and employees who fail to perform required duties, exceed their legal authority, harm others under false pretenses, or knowingly submit false official documents. Under the new provisions, first-time offenders could face up to one year in prison or a $5,000 fine, while repeat offenders could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine. The changes take effect on August 1, 2026, and apply to crimes committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 3440 extends the deadline for using $250,000 in existing state funds allocated for law enforcement use-of-force training. The bill changes the expiration date from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027, for reimbursement grants paid to postsecondary schools. These schools provide free, certified in-service training to peace officers on topics like de-escalation, stress effects, and scenario-based use of force. The training must include nonlethal firearms practice and meet specific curriculum standards under Minnesota Statutes. This extension allows schools and agencies more time to complete qualifying training programs before the funds expire.

Maddy summaryHF 7 modifies multiple public safety laws in Minnesota. It requires law enforcement agencies to make bail/bond information public and mandates county attorneys to publicly report reasons for dismissing charges. The bill establishes mandatory minimum sentences for certain sex trafficking offenses and requires individuals subject to stays in sexual conduct cases to register as predatory offenders. It also increases penalties for assaulting police officers, obstructing highway/airport traffic, and expands law enforcement's use of tracking devices on fleeing vehicles. These changes apply directly to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals involved in criminal cases.

Maddy summaryHF 2809 establishes a new crime for protesting directly in front of or about a person's home (excluding homes used as businesses). It makes this a misdemeanor, escalating to a gross misdemeanor if the person has a prior conviction under this law or ignores court orders like protection orders. The bill specifically allows peaceful protests about community meetings or assemblies held at locations commonly used for public discussion. This law applies to residential properties only and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 1567 extends Minnesota's existing personal information protections for judicial officials to peace officers (including police officers). The bill defines protected information as residential addresses, family details, non-work contact information, and children's names/schools attended. It requires peace officers to submit written notification to request protection, which expires after five years unless renewed. The law prohibits government entities and others from publicly sharing this protected information online or through other means, with limited exceptions for news reporting. This directly affects Minnesota peace officers by safeguarding their personal details from public disclosure.

Maddy summaryHF 3529 increases safe schools funding for Minnesota school districts and expands eligibility to charter schools, cooperative school units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools. For school districts, starting in fiscal year 2026, safe schools revenue will be the greater of $32,000 or $44 multiplied by the district's adjusted pupil count. Charter schools, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools will receive aid calculated as $44 multiplied by their student enrollment or pupil units, as reported to the state. Funds must be used exclusively for school safety measures, including security, drug prevention programs, and student safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryHF 2879 establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crimes Advisory Board in Minnesota to address organized retail theft. The board, composed of law enforcement officials, retail association leaders, tribal representatives, and community members, advises the Public Safety Commissioner on strategies to identify, prevent, and prosecute retail theft networks. Key provisions require the board to analyze trends, connect theft to other crimes like human trafficking, address online retail impacts, and develop statewide protocols. A statewide coordinator will oversee enforcement coordination, training, and business education efforts to combat these theft enterprises. The bill appropriates funding for this initiative but does not create new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHF 2432 appropriates over $600 million for Minnesota's judiciary, public safety, and corrections systems across fiscal years 2026-2027, funding courts, public defense, and community supervision. It extends legal protections to correctional employees reporting false emergencies, modifies funding rules for Tribal Nations' community supervision services, and adds penalties for theft of public funds. The bill also updates probation program rules, extends a mental health pilot program, and repeals outdated administrative rules for correctional oversight. These changes directly affect state courts, correctional facilities, public safety agencies, and Tribal Nations receiving supervision services.