HF3938

Purpose

• The bill aims to require owners of firearms to carry liability insurance and to require homeowners and tenants policies to include liability coverage for the accidental discharge of firearms. It does this by modifying how Minnesota statutes address insurance requirements and by providing definitions to support the changes.

Main provisions

• Firearm owners must carry liability insurance.
• Homeowners and tenants (renters) policies must include liability coverage for the accidental discharge of firearms.
• The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 65A.27 subdivision 1 to define terms and set the scope for applying sections 65A.27 to 65A.302 and 65A.304.
• It provides coding for a new law within Minnesota Statutes chapter 65A, reorganizing or adding the relevant definitions and provisions under that chapter.

Significant changes to existing law

• Introduces a mandatory liability insurance requirement for firearm owners.
• Expands homeowners and renters insurance to explicitly cover liability for accidental discharge of firearms.
• Updates the structure of the insurance-related statutes by amending section 65A.27 and creating or situating new language in Chapter 65A, including new definitions to support these requirements.

Potential impacts and considerations

• May increase costs for firearm owners and influence insurance pricing for homeowners/renters policies.
• Establishes a financial responsibility framework for incidents involving accidental firearm discharge.
• Requires insurance policy language to address liability arising from firearms, potentially affecting coverage terms and dispute resolution.

Notes

• Specific definitions and the full scope of how the coverage must operate are defined in the amended sections and related definitions in the statute, which are referenced but not fully displayed in the provided text.

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Relevant Terms - liability insurance - owners of firearms / firearm owners - accidental discharge of firearms - homeowners policy - renters policy / tenants policy - liability coverage - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - section 65A.27 subdivision 1 - sections 65A.27 to 65A.302 - section 65A.304 - Chapter 65A - definitions