Bill > SF3843

This bill, titled the Minnesota Civil Remedies Act, establishes a new legal framework for holding government employees accountable for violating individuals' constitutional and legal rights. It defines "government" broadly to include federal, state, and local entities, and "government employee" as anyone employed or contracted by such entities. The core provision states that a government employee who, while acting under the authority of their position ("under color of law"), deprives someone of their rights is liable for damages, including compensatory and punitive damages, and may also be subject to equitable relief. Importantly, this bill overrides existing laws that grant government employees immunity from lawsuits, meaning common defenses like qualified immunity, official immunity, and sovereign immunity will not apply to claims brought under this act. However, it carves out exceptions for judges, prosecutors, and legislators acting in their official capacities, and it does not prevent individuals from pursuing existing federal or state legal claims. The act is intended to be remedial and liberally construed, meaning it should be interpreted broadly to provide protection to individuals whose rights have been violated by government employees.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/SF/3843/