HF5090

Purpose

This bill aims to broaden the disorderly house crime in Minnesota. It would redefine what counts as a “disorderly house” to include buildings or premises where certain illegal activities happen regularly, making it easier for authorities to address ongoing problems at those locations.

What this bill does

• Expands the definition of “disorderly house” in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.33 subdivision 1.
• Sets that a disorderly house is a building or premises where illegal actions habitually occur in violation of specified laws.
• Adds several types of activity to the list of violations that can lead to a disorderly house designation.

Key terms and activities included (as described in the bill)

• Sale of intoxicating liquor or 3.2 percent malt liquor
• Gambling
• Prostitution (as defined in section 609.321 subdivision 9 or acts relating to prostitution)
• Sale or possession of controlled substances (as defined in section 152.01 subdivision 4)

How it changes existing law

• The bill adds targeted illegal activities to the grounds for labeling a location a disorderly house.
• It emphasizes that the activities must be habitual/ongoing rather than isolated incidents.
• It references specific statutory sections for the terms (609.321 subdivision 9; 152.01 subdivision 4), ensuring those activities are clearly tied to existing law.

Potential implications

• Property owners, operators, or occupants could be subject to disorderly house actions if illegal activities occur regularly on the premises.
• Authorities would have a broader framework to address persistent illegal activity tied to alcohol sales, gambling, prostitution, or drug-related offenses.

Significant changes to law

• Inclusion of gambling and prostitution as grounds for disorderly house status.
• Inclusion of sale or possession of controlled substances as grounds.
• Explicit reference to 3.2% malt liquor in the scope of the disorderly house definition.
• Shift toward focusing on habitual violations rather than one-time events.

Practical note

• The text indicates the creation of additional subdivisions (referred to as adding subdivisions) to outline these terms, but the core change is the expanded list of activities that can trigger a disorderly house designation.

Relevant Terms - disorderly house - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.33 subdivision 1 - sale of intoxicating liquor - 3.2 percent malt liquor - gambling - prostitution - section 609.321 subdivision 9 - sale or possession of controlled substances - section 152.01 subdivision 4 - habitually occur - violations of laws relating to the named activities