MinnesotaCourts may impose severe penalties when coercion causes serious harm
For coercion crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026, courts may impose up to 10 or 15 years in prison when victims suffer severe harm or death.
What it does
A person convicted of certain coercion crimes may face up to 10 years in prison or a $20,000 fine when the crime substantially contributes to great bodily harm.
A person convicted of certain coercion crimes may face up to 15 years in prison or a $30,000 fine when the crime substantially contributes to a victim's death.
Argument forThe sentencing options may give courts stronger tools to respond when coercion plays a major role in a victim's severe injury or death.
Argument againstPeople convicted under clause (6) could face long prison terms and large fines based on the harm connected to the coercion.
More detail
A court may sentence a person who commits coercion under subdivision 1, clause (6), to up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. This applies when the violation is a substantial factor in the victim suffering great bodily harm. The court may impose imprisonment, a fine, or both. The violation must be a substantial factor in causing the victim's great bodily harm. This applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.
A court may sentence a person who commits coercion under subdivision 1, clause (6), to up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both. This applies when the violation is a substantial factor in the victim's death. The court may impose imprisonment, a fine, or both. The violation must be a substantial factor in causing the victim's death. This applies to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 1Effective date 08/01/2026Latest
- May 7Secretary of State Chapter 76 05/07/26
- May 7Governor Tim Walz's action Approval 05/07/26Major
- May 7Secretary of State, Filed 05/07/2026
- May 7Governor Tim Walz approval 05/07/26Became Law
- May 6Presentment date 05/06/26
- May 6Presented to Governor 05/06/2026To Governor
- May 4Returned from Senate
- Apr 30Third reading PassedPassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Third reading Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 30Special Order: Rule 45 amendment stricken
- Apr 22Second readingMinor
- Apr 22Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF281
- Apr 22Author added Bahner
- Apr 21Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF281, now on General OrdersMinor
- Apr 21Introduction and first readingMinor
- Apr 21Received from HouseMinor
- Apr 20Bill was passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Third readingMinor
- Apr 16House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, April 20, 2026
- Mar 5Second readingMinor
- Mar 5Committee report, to adopt as amendedMinor
- Feb 26Authors added Repinski and Curran
- 2025
- Mar 13Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and PolicyIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic SafetyEducation