MinnesotaActs before age 13 would fall outside delinquency cases starting August 2027
Starting August 1, 2027, acts committed before age 13 would fall outside juvenile lawbreaking cases and could support protection cases when children need help.
What it does
Courts could not classify children as delinquent for acts committed before their 13th birthday on or after August 1, 2027.
Starting August 1, 2027, offenses committed before age 13 could support protection cases for children who need help. The existing offense-based provision for children under 10 expires July 31, 2026.
Argument forThe age exclusion could spare children juvenile prosecution for acts committed before age 13 on or after August 1, 2027.
Argument againstThe scheduled gap could leave children who offend before age 10 without this offense-based route to protection cases for one year.
More detail
Courts would exclude covered acts from delinquency cases, which address children’s lawbreaking. The exclusion covers children alleged to have committed a delinquent act before their 13th birthday. The section would take effect August 1, 2026. The age exclusion would apply to acts committed on or after August 1, 2027.
An offense committed before age 13 could support a court case for protection or services. This provision covers children who committed a delinquent act or a minor juvenile offense before their 13th birthday. The child must need protection or services because of the offense. The section would take effect August 1, 2026, but the under-13 provision would start August 1, 2027.
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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
- May 12Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and PolicyIntroduced
Criminal Justice