HF3676 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Safe at Home program; protections, remedies, and various provisions provided and modified; and criminal penalties established.
Related bill: SF3959
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill strengthens and expands protections for people in Minnesota’s Safe at Home address confidentiality program. It updates definitions, procedures, and enforcement to improve safety for participants (often victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or harassment), clarify how designated addresses are used, adds penalties for misuse, and increases coordination among state agencies. It also requires training and designated coordinators to oversee Safe at Home implementation.
What this bill changes about the Safe at Home program
- Expands and clarifies definitions related to Safe at Home, including what constitutes an address, who is an eligible person, and what “program participant” means.
- Establishes strict requirements for applying to be a participant, including proof of safety needs and consent for certain disclosures to program administrators.
- Requires agencies and businesses to accept the designated Safe at Home address for official purposes and to forward mail to participants’ designated addresses.
- Limits disclosure of a participant’s actual address in legal proceedings, with court safeguards and notice requirements; allows limited disclosure only when necessary to proceed with an investigation or case and only under a court order.
- Creates criminal penalties for acts that violate the Safe at Home provisions, including a misdemeanor baseline and a felony if bodily harm occurs.
- Prohibits discrimination against program participants in providing services (housing, banking, education, etc.), with civil remedies for violations.
- Improves cross-agency coordination by designating agency personnel roles (ADA coordinator, affirmative action officer, Safe at Home coordinator) and requiring a Safe at Home coordinator by a set deadline; if not designated, the agency head acts as the coordinator.
- Aligns driver licensing and ID rules with Safe at Home by allowing the designated Safe at Home address to count as the participant’s residence address for licensing purposes and for proving Minnesota residence.
- Expands acceptable documents used to prove Minnesota residence, explicitly including the Safe at Home card and a broader set of documents (utility bills, bank statements, tax documents, leases, licenses, etc.), with special rules for minors and certain living arrangements.
- Adds training requirements for judges and court personnel about domestic violence, sexual abuse, stalking, and Safe at Home, and emphasizes coordination with victim advocacy services and the Safe at Home program within law enforcement and prosecution.
How this affects participants and public safety
- Participants gain stronger protection against being located through addresses shared by others and enhanced mail-forwarding protections.
- Courts must balance safety with the needs of prosecutions, including clear procedures for when address information may be disclosed.
- Public agencies, banks, and businesses must treat the Safe at Home address as the participant’s official address for most purposes, helping reduce risk of exposure.
- The bill aims to reduce retaliation and risk for victims by expanding nondiscrimination protections and giving participants more control over who knows their location.
Significant changes to existing law
- Revisions to Minnesota Statutes in multiple chapters (5B, 171, 480, and 43A) to embed Safe at Home protections into a wider range of government and civil processes.
- New or strengthened duties for agencies to designate Safe at Home coordinators and to coordinate with the program.
- Expanded documents and evidence accepted to establish residence, including allowance of Safe at Home cards as proof.
- Explicit criminal penalties for violations and new civil remedies for discrimination related to Safe at Home status.
- Revised rules for protective orders and the handling of participants’ addresses in legal proceedings.
Terminology to look for (key terms used in or implied by the bill)
- Safe at Home
- designated address
- program participant
- eligible person
- domestic violence
- harassment
- stalking
- harassment or stalking
- guardian ad litem
- protective order
- nondiscrimination
- civil action
- misdemeanor
- felony
- address confidentiality
- mail forwarding
- secretary of state
- ADA coordinator
- Safe at Home coordinator
- residency documentation
- two forms of residence evidence
- driver’s license and Minnesota ID
- cooperation of state agencies
- appointment authorities
- court order
- threat or disclosure restrictions
- confidential information
Relevant Terms - Safe at Home - designated address - program participant - eligible person - domestic violence - harassment - stalking - guardian ad litem - protective order - nondiscrimination - address confidentiality - mail forwarding - secretary of state - ADA coordinator - Safe at Home coordinator - residency documentation - two forms of residence evidence - driver’s license - civil action - misdemeanor - felony
Past committee meetings
- State Government Finance and Policy on: March 03, 2026 08:15
- Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on: February 26, 2026 10:15
- Transportation Finance and Policy on: March 11, 2026 13:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Judiciary Finance and Civil Law | |
| March 02, 2026 | House | Action | Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to | State Government Finance and Policy | |
| March 09, 2026 | House | Action | Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to | Transportation Finance and Policy | |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Committee report, to adopt as amended | ||
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Second reading |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Introduces key definitions for Safe at Home program participants and applicants (e.g., Address, Applicant, Eligible person, Guardian acting on behalf, Program participant, Harassment or stalking)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines terms used in the Safe at Home program, including address, applicant, guardian acting on behalf of an eligible minor, program participant, harassment or stalking, and related concepts.",
"modified": [
"Overhauls the definitions section to align terminology with the Safe at Home program and related protections."
]
},
"citation": "5B.02",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies required elements of the program participant application, including name, date of birth, risk-related statements, consent to confirm participation, contact information, and guardian/court documentation where applicable."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets forth application content and certification process for a person to become a Safe at Home program participant.",
"modified": [
"Reforms the application form and submission requirements to certify eligible persons as program participants."
]
},
"citation": "5B.03",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishes that the designated address must be used for mail; allows alternative addresses only under specific conditions (e.g., ownership of real property via a trust/LLC).",
"Requires mail to be sent to designated address for program participants unless exceptions apply."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": " governs use of the designated address for Safe at Home participants and related mail handling; restricts disclosure of location.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies how mail and location information must be handled for Safe at Home participants."
]
},
"citation": "5B.05",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Details protections around a participant's address during discovery and court proceedings, including notice and opportunities to challenge compelled disclosure."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides procedures for protective orders and the treatment of a Safe at Home participant's address in legal proceedings.",
"modified": [
"Expands protections to limit disclosure of the participant's actual address and sets standards for when disclosure may be compelled."
]
},
"citation": "5B.11",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates a misdemeanor baseline for prohibited acts under this chapter and a felony when such acts cause bodily harm as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 7."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets criminal penalties related to violations of the Safe at Home provisions.",
"modified": [
"Defines penalties linked to Safe at Home violations and injury-causing acts."
]
},
"citation": "5B.13",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds nondiscrimination provisions in housing, banking, education, and other services for program participants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Prohibits discrimination based on Safe at Home program participant status.",
"modified": [
"Establishes civil remedies for discrimination against participants."
]
},
"citation": "5B.14",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Enables civil actions to enjoin discriminatory practices against Safe at Home participants."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides civil remedies for discrimination in violation of 5B.14.",
"modified": [
"Expands enforcement options for participants facing discrimination."
]
},
"citation": "5B.14",
"subdivision": "2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Incorporates Safe at Home designated address as the residence address for drivers license and ID considerations."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines residence address and permanent mailing address for purposes including driver licenses and Safe at Home designated address.",
"modified": [
"Expands definitions to include Safe at Home designation in address-related provisions."
]
},
"citation": "171.01",
"subdivision": "45d"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a broad list of documentation (e.g., utility bills, bank statements, school records, employment pay stubs, tax forms, etc.) to establish principal residence in Minnesota, with time limits."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets acceptable forms of evidence for proof of Minnesota residence.",
"modified": [
"Expands accepted evidence for establishing residence, including Safe at Home considerations."
]
},
"citation": "171.0605",
"subdivision": "5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires the program to cover domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and Safe at Home information, including legal proceedings subject to 5B.11, and coordination with victim advocacy."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends the Supreme Court’s judicial education program requirements.",
"modified": [
"Integrates Safe at Home and related protections into judicial education program content."
]
},
"citation": "480.30",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Outlines delegation of administrative functions and coordination of personnel actions across agencies."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cooperation and civil service provisions for executive branch agencies.",
"modified": [
"Updates civil service cooperation and agency responsibilities in support of program-related implementation."
]
},
"citation": "43A.36",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires agencies to designate an ADA coordinator and a Safe at Home coordinator; provides duties and reporting structure."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Designates ADA coordinators and Safe at Home coordinators within agencies; establishes reporting lines.",
"modified": [
"Adds Safe at Home coordination requirements under agency governance."
]
},
"citation": "43A.431",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References the definition of incapacitated person in relation to guardianship contexts."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines who is an incapacitated person and related guardianship references used in Safe at Home provisions.",
"modified": [
"Integrates guardianship standards with Safe at Home program definitions."
]
},
"citation": "524.5102",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Relies on 518B.01(2)(a) to frame domestic violence and related threats for eligibility."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines domestic violence for Safe at Home purposes, including threats.",
"modified": [
"Aligns domestic violence definitions with program eligibility criteria."
]
},
"citation": "518B.01",
"subdivision": "2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to criminalizes harassment or stalking acts under 609.749.",
"modified": [
"Uses 609.749 to define acts that qualify as harassment or stalking for Safe at Home purposes."
]
},
"citation": "609.749",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"References bodily harm definition to determine felony penalties when acts cause harm."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines bodily harm for purposes of penalties under Safe at Home provisions.",
"modified": [
"Links Safe at Home violations to felony-level penalties if bodily harm occurs."
]
},
"citation": "609.02",
"subdivision": "7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Notes exclusion for individuals registered as predatory offenders under 243.166 or 243.167."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Identifies predatory offender provisions referenced in eligibility restrictions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "243.166",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Notes exclusion for individuals registered as predatory offenders under 243.166 or 243.167."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Identifies predatory offender provisions referenced in eligibility restrictions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "243.167",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Links guardianship contexts to program participant eligibility and protection measures."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Guardianship provisions related to custody arrangements referenced in Safe at Home.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260C.325",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Supports guardianship scenarios in Safe at Home participant protections."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Additional guardianship provisions tied to Safe at Home program references.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260C.515",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cites section 13.045 in relation to records and disclosure within the Safe at Home framework."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References records-related provisions—applies to government entities and Safe at Home context.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates records management considerations into Safe at Home implementation."
]
},
"citation": "13.045",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee