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SF3946 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Criminal penalty provisions for assaulting transit workers clarification

Related bill: HF4065

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

Clarify and strengthen criminal penalties for assaulting transit workers. The bill adds a specific offense under Minnesota law to cover assaults on transit operator workers who are on duty, including actions like throwing or transferring bodily fluids onto them.

Main Provisions

  • New offense: Under Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.2231 subdivision 11, a person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if they:
    • Assault a transit operator worker, or intentionally throw or transfer bodily fluids onto a transit operator worker, and
    • The worker is acting in the course of their duties and is operating a transit vehicle or is otherwise responsible for the vehicle or the worker’s duties.
  • Penalty: A conviction may result in imprisonment for up to 364 days, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.
  • Who counts as a transit operator worker: A driver or operator of a transit vehicle who is an employee, contractor, or volunteer in public transportation or transit (as defined by Minnesota law). This includes:
    • Public transportation services (as defined in statute)
    • Light rail transit service
    • Special transportation service (under the applicable section)
    • Commuter rail service
    • Coverage applies whether provided by the Metropolitan Council or other providers under contract

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Adds a new gross-misdemeanor offense specifically protecting transit operator workers from assault and bodily-fluid contact.
  • Expands the scope of protected individuals to include a broad range of transit workers across various modes (bus, light rail, commuter rail, and specialized transit) and across multiple providers.
  • Sets explicit penalties (up to 364 days in jail and up to $3,000 fine) for such offenses.

Additional Notes

  • The offense applies when the transit operator worker is on duty and performing duties, and the offender’s actions involve assault or transfer of bodily fluids onto the worker.

Relevant Terms

  • gross misdemeanor
  • assault
  • transit operator worker
  • bodily fluids
  • transit vehicle
  • on duty / in the course of duties
  • public transportation
  • light rail transit service
  • special transportation service
  • commuter rail service
  • Metropolitan Council
  • Minnesota Statutes 2024 609.2231 subdivision 11
  • penalty (imprisonment up to 364 days, fine up to $3,000)

Bill text versions

Upcoming committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2026SenateActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
March 02, 2026SenateActionWithdrawn and re-referred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishes gross misdemeanor offense for assaulting a transit operator worker, including intentional throwing or transfer of bodily fluids onto the worker, when the worker is performing duties.",
        "Defines 'transit operator worker' to include drivers/operators of transit vehicles and others providing transit services."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds a new Subd. 11 to Minnesota Statutes 609.2231 prohibiting assault on transit operator workers; defines the offense and penalties.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends 609.2231 to add Subd. 11, creating the offense and penalties."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.2231",
    "subdivision": "11"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "References to 473.121, subd. 19 to define 'transit operator worker' scope."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Uses the definition of transit as defined under Minnesota Statutes section 473.121, subdivision 19, to identify who qualifies as a transit operator worker.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates existing statutory definition from 473.121, subd. 19."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.121",
    "subdivision": "19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Cites the public transportation definition from 174.22, subd. 7."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References 'public transportation' as defined in Minnesota Statutes 174.22, subdivision 7, to define scope of transit operator worker.",
      "modified": [
        "Incorporates existing definition from 174.22, subd. 7."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "174.22",
    "subdivision": "7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "References to 473.386 to cover specialized transportation service within the definition."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Mentions 'special transportation service' under Minnesota Statutes section 473.386 as part of the scope of transit operator worker.",
      "modified": [
        "Uses existing statutory reference to 473.386 to define coverage."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.386",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

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