Proposal would expand some officer death benefits and change safety rules

Certain work-related deaths would count as deaths in the line of duty for benefit claims. The rules cover public safety officers and, for some definitions, former officers who left service because of a duty disability. Cancer claims are limited to listed cancers linked to qualifying carcinogen exposure during work, with service and diagnosis time limits. The cancer presumption does not apply if medical evidence shows the exposure was not a substantial cause of death. These provisions would take effect the day after final enactment and apply retroactively from February 1, 2020. Eligible cancer claims for deaths before enactment must be filed within three years after enactment.

Officers may seek removal of certain personal information posted online. The provisions cover current and former peace officers and correctional officers, and specified personal details about them and their families. The officer must submit a sworn statement identifying the information and where it appears; the poster generally has 30 days to remove it. Exceptions include information relevant to news or commentary on a public concern and certain property records. These provisions would take effect August 1, 2026.

People arrested for certain protective-order violations must be held until their first court appearance. This applies to arrests for violating an order for protection or a domestic abuse no-contact order; related procedures also cover domestic abuse, harassment, and stalking charges. For other covered charges, a jail or police official generally must issue a citation unless release appears to threaten someone, threaten public safety, or risk failure to appear. When judges consider release, they must review relevant information, including certain past arrests, orders, and pending petitions.

MINNCOR must follow specified wage, cost, and worker-displacement rules for contracts with private businesses. These rules apply to MINNCOR contracts with private businesses. A private business must report its full-time employee count; each contract may use no more than four incarcerated workers per full-time business employee. The employment agency must verify that each contract will not displace private-sector workers in the regions where the facility and business are located. The rules would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after that date. Earlier contracts could continue under their current terms until they expire.

The Department of Public Safety must run a grant program for agencies investigating nonfatal shootings. Law enforcement agencies may apply for grants to investigate nonfatal shootings and support victims. Half of the grant funding must go to applicants outside the metropolitan area. The one-time appropriation is $1 million for fiscal year 2027. The program receives a one-time $1 million appropriation for fiscal year 2027; grant recipients must report on their work.