Bill > SF2317

This bill creates new legal provisions for liability related to trespassing on or damaging critical infrastructure in Minnesota, expanding existing criminal statutes to include both direct and vicarious liability. The bill establishes that individuals who are arrested or convicted of trespassing on or damaging critical public service facilities, utilities, or pipelines can be held liable for property damages, and moreover, persons or entities who recruit, train, aid, advise, hire, counsel, or conspire with others to commit such trespasses can also be held vicariously liable. The legislation modifies two existing statutes (609.594 and 609.6055) to include new criminal penalties for those who not only commit trespassing or property damage but also for those who encourage or facilitate such actions. Specifically, individuals who intentionally recruit or support others in committing these infractions can face felony charges with potential imprisonment of up to ten years and/or fines up to $20,000 if a violation occurs and they fail to make a reasonable effort to prevent it. The bill is set to become effective on August 1, 2025, and will apply to crimes committed on or after that date, suggesting a forward-looking approach to protecting critical infrastructure from intentional disruption or damage.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2317&ssn=0&y=2025