HF640 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Fourth-degree assault crime related to transit operators expanded to include transportation network company drivers.
Related bill: SF2924
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Expand the protection against assault to include transportation network company drivers (rideshare drivers) by adding them to the category of transit operators who are protected under the fourth-degree assault statute.
Main provisions
- Amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.2231, subdivision 11, to apply to transit operators who are assaulted or have bodily fluids thrown or transferred onto them, while the operator is performing duties and operating a transit vehicle.
- Define “transit operator” to include:
- drivers or operators of transit vehicles used for public transportation,
- light rail transit service,
- special transportation service (as defined in the statute or provided under contract with the Metropolitan Council),
- commuter rail service, and
- transportation in a personal vehicle through a transportation network company (TNC) driver.
- Penalty for the offense remains a gross misdemeanor, with potential punishment of up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000 (or both).
Significant changes / Effects
- The bill explicitly adds transportation network company drivers (rideshare drivers) to the list of individuals treated as transit operators for purposes of the assault statute.
- Expands the range of on-duty individuals protected from assault or bodily fluids being transferred onto them while performing duties in connection with transit services or TNC-provided transportation.
Definitions and scope notes
- "Transit operator" now encompasses both traditional transit workers (public buses, light rail, commuter rail, and contracted services) and TNC drivers working under a transportation network company arrangement.
- The protection applies when the operator is acting in the course of duties and is operating or responsible for a transit vehicle.
Relevant Terms - gross misdemeanor - assault - transit operator - bodily fluids - transit vehicle - public transportation - light rail - special transportation service - commuter rail - transportation network company (TNC) - rideshare driver - Metropolitan Council - 65B.472 subdivision 1 paragraph m - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.2231, subdivision 11 - on duty / in the course of duties
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2025 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy | |
| February 26, 2025 | House | Action | Author added | ||
| April 21, 2025 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds transportation network company drivers to the definition of 'transit operator' via cross-reference to 65B.472 subdivision 1 paragraph m."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill expands the gross misdemeanor assault provision (Minnesota Statutes, section 609.2231, subdivision 11) to cover transit operators, including transportation network company drivers, by defining or cross-referencing the 'transit operator' to include transportation network company drivers under section 65B.472 subdivision 1 paragraph m.",
"modified": [
"Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.2231, subdivision 11 to broaden the scope of 'transit operator' to include transportation network company drivers and to reference 65B.472 subdivision 1 paragraph m."
]
},
"citation": "609.2231",
"subdivision": "11"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"No change to 174.22; the definition is used for the transit operator construct."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill uses the existing definition of 'public transportation' as defined in Minnesota Statutes 174.22, subdivision 7, to define 'transit operator' within the amended 609.2231, subdivision 11.",
"modified": [
"References 174.22 subdivision 7 to anchor the 'public transportation' definition used in the transit-operator definition."
]
},
"citation": "174.22",
"subdivision": "7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references 'special transportation service' under Minnesota Statutes 473.386 as part of the transit services included in the transit-operator scope, without modifying that section.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to 473.386 for 'special transportation service' in the transit-operator framework."
]
},
"citation": "473.386",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cites 65B.472 subdivision 1 paragraph m as the basis for classifying transportation network company drivers as transit operators."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill cross-references Minnesota Statutes 65B.472 subdivision 1, paragraph m to define transportation network company involvement within the transit-operator concept.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates cross-reference to 65B.472(1)(paragraph m) within the 609.2231, subdivision 11 framework to include TNCDs as transit operators."
]
},
"citation": "65B.472",
"subdivision": "1, paragraph m"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee