Bill > SF3376

This bill establishes a new process for providing preliminary monetary damages to individuals who have been exonerated from criminal convictions. Under the proposed legislation, if a prosecutor indicates prior to filing a petition that they will likely join the exoneration claim, the exonerated individual can receive immediate financial compensation. The preliminary damages would be calculated at $5,000 for each year of incarceration and $2,500 for each year served on supervised release or as a registered predatory offender, with prorating for partial years. To support these payments, the bill creates an "exoneration compensation account" in the state's special revenue fund, initially funded with a $250,000 transfer from the general fund. When preliminary damages are paid, an equivalent amount will be transferred back to the account to maintain its $250,000 balance. The bill also modifies existing statutes to clarify the process for determining compensation eligibility, specifically allowing prosecutors to indicate their support for an exoneration claim either within 60 days of filing the petition or before the petition is filed. Any final damages awarded will be reduced by the amount of preliminary monetary damages already paid, ensuring that the total compensation is not duplicative.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3376&ssn=0&y=2025