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HF3468 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Civil action against a person for failure to render aid in certain circumstances permitted.

Related bill: SF3688

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • To create a civil remedy for people injured when someone fails to render aid in certain situations, by adding a new subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.662.

Main Provisions

  • Adds Subdivision 6 to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.662.
  • Allows a person who is injured by a violation of subdivision 2 paragraph 1a or subdivision 3 paragraph a to file a civil action.
  • The civil action can seek recovery of damages plus costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney fees.

How it Works (Key Mechanism)

  • If someone’s failure to render aid in the specified circumstances causes injury, the injured person may sue for damages.
  • The award can cover damages and the costs of the lawsuit, including reasonable attorney fees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Establishes a new civil liability for failure to render aid in certain circumstances, adding a civil remedy alongside any existing criminal provisions.
  • Clarifies that damages in such civil actions can include costs, disbursements, and attorney fees.

Practical Impact

  • Provides victims with a direct civil path to seek compensation when aid is not rendered in specified situations.
  • Could deter noncompliance with bystander duties to render aid by creating potential legal and financial consequences for violators.

Relevant Terms

  • civil action
  • damages
  • costs and disbursements
  • reasonable attorney fees
  • failure to render aid
  • subdivision 2 paragraph 1a
  • subdivision 3 paragraph a
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.662
  • Subd.6

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 19, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law
February 26, 2026HouseActionAuthor added
March 18, 2026HouseActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subd.6 provides that a person injured by a violation of subdivision 2 paragraph 1.9 a or 3 paragraph a may bring a civil action for recovery of damages, together with costs and disbursements including reasonable attorney fees."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds a civil action for failure to render aid by amending Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.662 to create Subd.6 (Civil action).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.662",
    "subdivision": "Subd.6"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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