Bill > HF3503

This bill, effective August 1, 2026, limits the common law defenses of judicial and quasi-judicial immunity, which are legal protections that shield judges and certain other officials from lawsuits for actions taken in their official capacity. Specifically, the bill amends existing law to state that these immunities will not apply if an act or omission violated a mandatory, non-discretionary requirement or the Code of Judicial Conduct, and was also done in "bad faith" (meaning a conscious and willful decision to mislead or deceive) or with "actual malice" (meaning an act done with ill will or an improper intent to cause harm). While the bill presumes good faith and lack of malice for defendants raising these defenses, plaintiffs can overcome this presumption by proving bad faith or malice with clear and convincing evidence.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/3503/