Bill > HF13

This bill modifies Minnesota's existing self-defense law by eliminating the "duty to retreat" before using reasonable force in defense of oneself or others. Specifically, the bill amends section 609.06 of Minnesota Statutes to add a new provision that allows individuals to use reasonable force when resisting an offense against their person, without first being required to determine if they could safely retreat from the situation. The existing law previously outlined various circumstances where reasonable force could be used, such as by law enforcement, in property protection, or by parents or teachers controlling children. The new language explicitly states that when defending against a personal offense, a person may use reasonable force regardless of whether a "reasonable possibility of retreat" exists. This change effectively expands an individual's right to self-defense by removing the legal obligation to attempt to escape a threatening situation before using force. The bill is set to become effective on August 1, 2025, and will apply to acts committed on or after that date, giving individuals broader legal protections when using force in self-defense scenarios.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0013&ssn=0&y=2025