HF4593 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Statute of limitations increased for crimes involving medical assistance fraud or other theft of money belonging to the government.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill changes how long prosecutors have to bring charges (the statute of limitations) for crimes, especially those involving fraud against government funds and medical assistance programs.
- It aims to extend or adjust time limits for many offenses, clarify when delays count (or don’t count) toward the time limit, and include protections related to pretrial diversion and DNA analysis.
Main provisions
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 628.26 to set new rules for when indictments or complaints must be filed after an offense. Key changes include:
- For crimes resulting in a victim’s death: indictments/complaints may be filed at any time after the death.
- For violations of certain offenses (specific sections referenced in the bill): indictments/complaints may be filed at any time after the offense.
- If the victim was under 18 at the time of the offense (for a listed offense): indictments/complaints may be filed at any time after the offense; if the victim was 18 or older, several offenses require filing within specified timeframes (often six years).
- For a broad group of offenses (including those under sections 609.322, 609.342 to 609.345, and 609.3458): indictments/complaints may be filed at any time after the offense.
- For offenses involving a minor or certain serious crimes (609.561): filing within ten years after the offense.
- For offenses involving certain property crimes (e.g., fraud against public funds) and related sections (including 609.466 and 609.52(2), paragraph a, clause 3, item iii): filing within six to 15 years after the offense.
- For cases involving public funds or government funds (e.g., when property stolen is government funds): filing within 15 years after the offense.
- For more specific property threshold cases (e.g., where property stolen is not public funds and the value exceeds $35,000 or there are eight or more direct victims or total loss over $35,000): filing within five years after the offense.
- For false material statements, representations, or omissions (609.671): filing within five years after the offense.
- For offenses under sections 609.562 and 609.563: filing within five years after the offense.
- For certain offenses with delayed reporting or delayed discovery (e.g., 609.746): filing within the later of three years after the offense or three years after reporting to authorities.
- For all other offenses not specifically listed: filing within three years after the offense.
- Exclusions and exceptions:
- Time periods do not count if the defendant was not an inhabitant or resident of Minnesota for part of the period.
- Time periods do not count if the defendant was participating in a written pretrial diversion program relating to the offense.
- Time periods do not count while physical evidence (DNA analysis) is being processed, unless the agency delayed the DNA analysis to gain an unfair advantage.
- Scope note:
- The changes apply to offenses involving government funds, including medical assistance fraud and other theft of government money.
Significant changes to existing law
- Substantially broadens and, for many offenses, extends the time prosecutors have to file charges, sometimes indefinitely (in cases involving death or certain offenses) and in other cases to longer fixed periods (five, six, ten, or fifteen years).
- Introduces specific exceptions and exclusions (residency, pretrial diversion, DNA analysis delays) that can shorten or lengthen the available charging window.
- Adds emphasis on offenses involving public funds or government money, including medical assistance fraud, as a focus for longer or different limitation periods.
Relevant terms - statute of limitations - indictments or complaints - death of the victim - victim under 18 / minor victims - public funds / government funds - medical assistance fraud - pretrial diversion program - written agreement - DNA analysis - exclusion period - later of three years / within five years / within six years / within ten years / within fifteen years - offenses (e.g., sections 609.25, 609.282, 609.322, 609.342-345, 609.3458, 609.561, 609.466, 609.52, 609.2335, 609.631, 609.821, 609.671, 609.562, 609.563, 609.746)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. 628.26 (limitations) to modify the statute of limitations for a wide range of offenses, including those involving death, fraud, public funds, and DNA-related considerations.",
"modified": [
"Extends or clarifies the time limits for numerous offenses and reorganizes the limitations provisions across subdivisions labeled a through p."
]
},
"citation": "628.26",
"subdivision": "a through p"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modifies the limitations period for offenses charged under section 609.25.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the statute of limitations applicable to violations of section 609.25."
]
},
"citation": "609.25",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to limitations for violations of section 609.282, including scenarios based on the victim's age.",
"modified": [
"Alters or clarifies the limitations period depending on the victim's age at the time of the offense."
]
},
"citation": "609.282",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.42, including subdivision 1 and specific clauses, in the context of limitations.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the applicable limitations period under 609.42 for the specified clauses."
]
},
"citation": "609.42",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1, clause 1 or 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to limitations under section 609.322 as part of the broader limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Adjustments to the applicability period for offenses covered by 609.322."
]
},
"citation": "609.322",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.342 within the list of statute of limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Alters or clarifies the period for offenses under 609.342."
]
},
"citation": "609.342",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.343 as part of the limitations scheme.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations term applicable to offenses described in 609.343."
]
},
"citation": "609.343",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.344 within the amendments to the limitations periods.",
"modified": [
"Extends or clarifies the limitations period for offenses under 609.344."
]
},
"citation": "609.344",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.345 as part of the limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the statute of limitations for offenses described in 609.345."
]
},
"citation": "609.345",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.3458 within the limitations framework.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations period for offenses under 609.3458."
]
},
"citation": "609.3458",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to 609.561 within the amended limitations framework.",
"modified": [
"Changes to the applicable period of limitations for offenses under 609.561."
]
},
"citation": "609.561",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the group of statutes whose limitations periods are addressed in this bill.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations period for offenses under 609.466."
]
},
"citation": "609.466",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cites 609.52 with subdivision 2 in relation to limitations, including specific clause references.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the limitations period for offenses described in 609.52, subdivision 2."
]
},
"citation": "609.52",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.2335 as part of the set of limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations period related to the offense described in 609.2335."
]
},
"citation": "609.2335",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Third-party cross-reference to 609.631 within the amendments to limitations.",
"modified": [
"Change to the applicable limitation period for offenses under 609.631."
]
},
"citation": "609.631",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 609.821 as part of the limitations amendments.",
"modified": [
"Modification of the limitations period for offenses under 609.821."
]
},
"citation": "609.821",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.527 in the context of limitations, including multiple victims.",
"modified": [
"Alters the limitations period for offenses under 609.527 (multiple victims or large losses)."
]
},
"citation": "609.527",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cites 609.671 in the context of false material statements, representations, or omissions.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations period for offenses under 609.671."
]
},
"citation": "609.671",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.562 in the list of limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the limitations period for offenses under 609.562."
]
},
"citation": "609.562",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.563 within the amendments to the limitations framework.",
"modified": [
"Modifies the limitations period for offenses under 609.563."
]
},
"citation": "609.563",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.746 as part of the limitations provisions.",
"modified": [
"Alters the limitations period for offenses under 609.746."
]
},
"citation": "609.746",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Section defining DNA analysis as it relates to the limitations framework.",
"modified": [
"Excludes time during which DNA analysis was undergoing processing from certain limitations periods unless delay is shown to be deliberate."
]
},
"citation": "299C.155",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee