Bill > SF967

This bill modifies several Minnesota statutes to add "political affiliation or beliefs" as a protected characteristic in various criminal offense definitions, expanding existing bias-motivated crime provisions. Specifically, the bill updates sections related to assault, property damage, and harassment to include political affiliation or beliefs as a potential motivating factor that can result in enhanced criminal penalties. Under these changes, if a crime is committed wholly or substantially because of the victim's political affiliation or beliefs, the offender may face increased legal consequences, such as higher fines, longer imprisonment terms, or more severe sentencing classifications. For instance, in assault cases motivated by political bias, the penalties can range from up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine for a first offense to potential felony charges for repeat offenses. The bill includes an effective date of August 1, 2025, meaning these new provisions will apply to crimes committed on or after that date, and aims to provide additional legal protections for individuals who might be targeted because of their political views or associations.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0967&ssn=0&y=2025