HF681 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Notice to crime victims when an offender files an apology required.
Related bill: SF1907
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To require and improve notice to crime victims when an offender submits a letter of apology, and to expand and clarify victims’ rights and the process for informing victims about related actions.
Main Provisions
Update and distribution of model notices
- The Office of Justice Programs must update the two model notices of the rights of crime victims.
- The initial notice must be given by a peace officer to each victim at first contact and must inform the victim about:
- the right to apply for reparations to cover losses (excluding property losses from a violent crime) and the phone number to request an application
- the right to request that data revealing the victim’s identity be withheld from public access
- the additional rights of domestic abuse victims
- information on the nearest crime victim assistance program or resource
- the rights if an offender is charged, including the right to be informed of and participate in the prosecution process (including the right to request restitution)
- the rights in homicide cases and information on rights and procedures under specified sections, plus the right to be notified of offender letters of apology (per another section)
- A supplemental notice must be sent by the city or county attorney’s office to each victim within a reasonable time after the offender is charged or petitioned, informing them of all rights under this chapter.
Notice of submission of apology letter (new Subd.3b to 611A.06)
- The commissioner of corrections or other custodial authority must make a good faith effort to notify the victim that the offender has submitted a letter of apology.
- Notices are limited to victims who have submitted a written request for notification to:
- the head of the county correctional facility where the offender is confined, or
- the Department of Corrections if the offender is in the department, via written request or through the department’s electronic victim notification system.
- The good faith notification effort must occur within 90 days of the apology letter filing.
Notable Changes to Existing Law
- Adds required victim notices and updates to model notices to standardize informing victims of a broad set of rights, including reparations, privacy protections, domestic abuse protections, resources, restitution, and notification about offender apologies.
- Creates an explicit duty for custodial authorities to notify victims that an offender has submitted an apology letter, with a defined 90-day notification window and conditions for who may receive such notice (only victims who opt in via written requests).
How This Affects Victims and Agencies
- Victims will receive more comprehensive and timely information about their rights and available resources at multiple points (initial contact and after charges).
- Law enforcement, prosecutors, and custodial authorities must implement and maintain notification systems and processes for apology letters, adding a new layer to victim outreach and engagement.
Significant Changes and Impacts
- Expansion of victim rights information and formal notices to include apology-letter related information.
- Introduction of a “good faith effort” standard and a defined notification timeframe (within 90 days) for apology letters.
- Clarification of privacy protections related to victim data in notices.
Relevant Terms - Office of Justice Programs - model notices - rights of crime victims - initial notice - supplemental notice - reparations - property losses - violent crime - data privacy / data revealing victim’s identity - section 13.82 subdivision 17 paragraph d - domestic abuse victims / section 629.341 - victim assistance program - prosecution process - restitution - homicide cases - offender letters of apology - section 611A.06 Subd.3b - commissioner of corrections - custodial authority - Department of Corrections - electronic victim notification system - good faith effort - 90 days - county correctional facility - peace officer - initial contact - charged or petitioned
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2025 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds the right to be notified of offender letters of apology pursuant to 611A.06 subdivision 3b.",
"Cross-references sections 524.2803, 524.3614, and 524.3615 for information on rights and procedures (e.g., in homicide cases)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 611A.02, subdivision 2 to expand the rights of crime victims. The bill adds or references many rights, including information about reparations, data privacy for victim identity, rights when an offender is charged, and the right to be informed of and participate in the prosecution process, as well as the right to be notified of offender letters of apology via 611A.06 subdivision 3b and cross-references to other rights under sections 524.2803, 524.3614, and 524.3615.",
"modified": [
"Subsection 2 of 611A.02 is expanded to include additional rights and cross-references for crime victims."
]
},
"citation": "611A.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Notice of submission of apology letter to victims (Subd.3b).",
"Notice required if the victim has made a written request for notification; contact may be via DOC or county facility; electronic notification option."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds a new subdivision 3b to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 611A.06 requiring notice to victims when an offender submits a letter of apology. Notice is restricted to victims who have submitted a written request for notification, and notices may be provided by the head of the county correctional facility or the Department of Corrections, including via electronic notification.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "611A.06",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3b"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 13.82(17)(d) for data privacy protections regarding victim identity."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to 13.82(17)(d) appear to enable withholding public access to data revealing a victim's identity; the bill uses this existing provision in connection with victims' rights, but does not create a new change to 13.82 itself.",
"modified": [
"No substantive modification to 13.82; the bill cites an existing provision to protect victim privacy."
]
},
"citation": "13.82",
"subdivision": "subdivision 17, paragraph d"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Uses existing 611A.01 definitions; no change to 611A.01."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to the definition of victims as defined in section 611A.01; the bill uses the existing definition.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "611A.01",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 629.341 for rights of domestic abuse victims."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-references to the rights of domestic abuse victims described in 629.341; the bill does not modify 629.341 itself.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "629.341",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 524.2803 for information on rights/procedures."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to rights and procedures in 524.2803; the bill does not alter 524.2803.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.2803",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 524.3614 for rights/procedures information."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 524.3614; no direct changes to that statute are shown in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.3614",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 524.3615 for rights/procedures information."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference to 524.3615; no direct changes to that statute are shown in the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.3615",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee