HF762 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Victim of a crime prohibited from being charged of a crime for towing or impounding a motor vehicle, sale prohibited of motor vehicle that is a crime victim's vehicle for 180 days, reimbursement provided for a crime victim's vehicle that is sold by a unit of government, charging the victim of a crime prohibited for any crime or fee, and law enforcement agencies required to investigate reports of stolen vehicles and provide an update on that investigation.
Related bill: SF760
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to protect crime victims from extra costs and hurdles related to stolen or impairing vehicles. It creates standards around towing and impounding, restricts the sale of crime victim vehicles for a period, ensures reimbursement when government entities sell such vehicles, and requires police to investigate stolen-vehicle reports and share updates.
Main Provisions
- Prohibits charging crime victims for towing or impounding their motor vehicle.
- Prohibits charging crime victims any fines or fees connected to their vehicle being towed or impounded.
- For crime victim vehicles, bars the sale of the vehicle for 180 days after it is identified as a crime victim vehicle.
- Provides for reimbursement to the crime victim if a crime victim vehicle is sold by a unit of government.
- Requires law enforcement agencies to investigate reports of stolen vehicles and to provide an update on the investigation.
- Makes technical amendments to Minnesota statutes to add new subdivisions and codify the above rules.
Definitions
- Crime victims vehicle: A motor vehicle that is (a) reported as stolen by the owner, (b) has probable cause indicating it contains or constitutes evidence of a crime and is known or should be known to have been taken from the owner or used without permission, or (c) has been involved in a collision or accident caused by another driver in specified criminal or traffic law violations.
- The term is used to determine when the protections and requirements above apply.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Subdivision 3a to Minnesota Statutes section 168B.011 defining “crime victims vehicle.”
- Adds subdivisions to sections 168B.051, 168B.06, 168B.07, and 168B.08 to implement the new rules.
- Adds provisions to section 169.042 and to section 611A.675 (and related chapters 626.1, 13, 1.14, 762) to codify and implement these changes.
- Overall, the bill changes how crime victim vehicles are treated after a theft or crime, introducing protections against fees and prohibitions on sale timing, while requiring government actions and reimbursements when applicable.
Implementation Notes
- The definitions and new subdivisions would be used to determine when the protections apply and what duties law enforcement and government entities owe to crime victims.
- The 180-day sale prohibition creates a waiting period before a vehicle can be sold if it is identified as a crime victim vehicle.
- Reimbursement provisions establish a mechanism for compensation when government entities sell a crime victim vehicle.
Relevant Terms crime victims vehicle; towing; impounding; 180 days; sale prohibition; government unit; reimbursement; law enforcement; investigate; stolen vehicle; update; Minnesota Statutes; Subd. 3a; 168B.011; 168B.051; 168B.06; 168B.07; 168B.08; 169.042; 611A.675
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": [
"Defines 'crime victims vehicle' with criteria such as the vehicle being reported stolen, possession by owner, evidence of a crime, or involvement in a collision or violation of listed statutes."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds Subdivision 3a to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 168B.011 to define 'crime victims vehicle'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "168B.011",
"subdivision": "3a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a new subdivision to 168B.051."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 168B.051 by adding a subdivision (as part of the bill).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "168B.051",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 168B.06."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 168B.06 by adding a subdivision (as part of the bill).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "168B.06",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 168B.07."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 168B.07 by adding a subdivision (as part of the bill).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "168B.07",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 168B.08."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 168B.08 by adding a subdivision (as part of the bill).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "168B.08",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds a subdivision to 169.042."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends or adds a subdivision to 169.042 as part of defining crime victims vehicle provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.042",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds or clarifies language in 611A.675 Subd. 1."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Proposes coding for new law in 611A.675, subdivision 1 as part of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "611A.675",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.2112 as part of the definition of crimes related to crime victims vehicle.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2112",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.2113 as part of the definition of crimes related to crime victims vehicle.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2113",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.2114 as part of the definition of crimes related to crime victims vehicle.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2114",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.487 subdivision 3 in the context of the crime victims vehicle definition.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References 609.487 subdivision 4 in the context of the crime victims vehicle definition.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.487",
"subdivision": "4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited as a section referenced in the crime victims vehicle definition (related to driving offenses).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169.13",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited as a section referenced in the crime victims vehicle definition (related to driving offenses).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "169A.20",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee