HF3468

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