Dozens of new Minnesota laws took effect Monday

Brandon Marshall

(ABC 6 News) – Several new laws took effect on Monday in Minnesota.

Below are some more of the noteworthy provisions:

  • Fines for off-highway vehicle violations have increased, and new civil penalties have been created for snowmobiles. A first violation will now cost $250 instead of $100, a second offense will cost $500 instead of $200, and third and subsequent penalties have doubled to $1,000.
  • Youth ages 18 through 20 in juvenile court will now have a guardian appointed to help them and protect them from trafficking or abuse, as long as they both agree to it, the court determines it is in the juvenile’s best interest or the reunification with a parent isn’t an option. The guardianship will end when the juvenile turns 21 or the juvenile requests it to end.
  • Long-term care insurance will be allowed to be sold as part of a life insurance policy. This is to be able to offer insurance to more Minnesotans.
  • Law enforcement agencies can now release the full criminal history data to cities and counties for applicants who undergo a background check. However, they must still securely maintain that data and notify an applicant why they’ve been denied. Previously, law enforcement could only say whether a background check turned up disqualifying offenses.
  • The Safe At Home program will be created to assign P.O. Boxes to use as a legal address for victims of domestic violence, harassment, or stalking. The victims will not have to disclose their legal address with this program.
  • All National Guard members who served “satisfactorily as determined by the adjutant general” can now get reenlistment and commissioning bonuses. Previous requirements allowed for no more than 12 years of service to be eligible for the bonuses.
  • Insurers can no longer discriminate against living tissue donors for policies that are effective after or renewed later than Aug. 1, 2022.
  • The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office can now reject clearly fraudulent Uniform Commercial Code lien filings that are meant to harass or intimidate someone. The false liens can be used as harassment or extortion, and are sometimes referred to as “paper terrorism.”
  • The Minnesota Code of Military Justice has been updated in several areas. Some of the new provisions include:
    • The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear appeals regarding the Code of Military Justice.
    • The governor or adjutant general can now request the BCA investigate military offenses.
    • Authorizes a court-martial for service members found to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while on duty.
    • Adds prohibited activities with recruits or trainees by a person in a position of special trust, nonconsensual distribution of intimate images, unauthorized use of a government computer, and retaliation as code violations.

Get a more detailed list of the new Minnesota laws HERE.