SF2510 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Criminal penalty for concealing a dead body increase
Related bill: HF2394
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
To strengthen public safety by increasing the penalties for concealing a dead body and clarifying how those penalties apply based on which part of the law a person is convicted under.
Main Provisions
- The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.502, subdivision 1a (Penalty).
- For a defendant convicted under subdivision 1 clause 2 or clause 3, the bill sets the penalty as a gross misdemeanor.
- For a defendant convicted under subdivision 1 clause 1, the bill allows punishment that may include imprisonment for a substantial period (the exact maximum years are garbled in the provided text) or a fine (the exact maximum amount is garbled in the provided text), or both.
- The text distinguishes between three possible clauses (1, 2, and 3) within subdivision 1, indicating that penalties vary by which clause the conviction falls under.
Note: The specific numerical limits for imprisonment and fines in clause 1 are unclear in the provided text. The intent is to set explicit maximums for imprisonment and fines, with a separate, lesser penalty (gross misdemeanor) for clauses 2 and 3.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a tiered penalty structure for concealing a dead body, depending on which clause of subdivision 1 the conviction falls under.
- Elevates certain convictions to a gross misdemeanor level (clause 2 or 3) and assigns a separate, higher penalty pathway for clause 1.
- Requires updating the penalty subsection of the statute to reflect these distinctions.
Practical Effect
- People convicted of concealing a dead body under clause 2 or 3 will face a gross misdemeanor.
- People convicted under clause 1 will face a harsher potential sentence, with explicit imprisonment and/or fines specified in the statute (though the exact amounts/years are not clear in the provided text).
- The law makes sentencing dependent on which specific clause applies to the offender’s conduct and conviction.
Relevant Terms concealing a dead body disposing of a dead body Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.502 subdivision 1a Penalty subdivision 1a clause 1 clause 2 clause 3 imprisonment fine gross misdemeanor or both convicted under subdivision Minnesota public safety penalties
Past committee meetings
- Judiciary and Public Safety on: March 19, 2026 09:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 13, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.502, subdivision 1a, to modify penalties for concealing a dead body.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies that a person convicted under subdivision 1 clause 2 or 3 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.",
"Allows a person convicted under subdivision 1 clause 1 to be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 3 years or 20 years and fined up to $5,000 or $20,000, or both."
]
},
"citation": "609.502",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1a"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee