Bill > HF2010

This bill increases the age of consent in Minnesota's criminal sexual conduct laws by modifying two existing statutes (609.344 and 609.345) to add a new provision that makes sexual penetration or sexual contact a criminal offense when the victim is between 16 and 18 years old and the offender is 22 years of age or older. Currently, such interactions are only criminalized in specific circumstances, such as when there is a significant relationship between the victim and offender or when the offender is in a position of authority. The bill removes the previous age and relationship restrictions for these specific scenarios and instead establishes a blanket prohibition on sexual conduct between a person 22 or older and a person between 16 and 18 years old. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that neither mistake about the victim's age nor the victim's consent can be used as a defense in these cases. The new provisions will become effective on August 1, 2025, and will apply to crimes committed on or after that date, giving time for legal systems and the public to prepare for the change. The bill aims to provide additional protection for minors by expanding the definition of criminal sexual conduct and closing potential legal loopholes.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2010&ssn=0&y=2025