SF3959

Purpose

• Strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking.
• Expand and modify the Safe at Home program, including how participants’ addresses are protected and used for official purposes.
• Create new duties and funding for state agencies to support Safe at Home, improve coordination across agencies, and enhance training for law enforcement, judges, and other public staff.
• Establish criminal penalties for violations of Safe at Home rules and prohibit discrimination against program participants in services such as housing, banking, and education.

Main provisions

• Redefined concepts and eligibility:
  • Define “address” as the work, school, or residential address listed on a Safe at Home application.
  • Define “eligible person” as an adult, a minor (or guardian/custodian acting for an eligible minor or incapacitated person) who is believed to be a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking, or who fears for safety.
  • Exclude individuals registered as predatory offenders from being eligible.
  • Allow guardians to act for eligible minors or incapacitated persons; require court orders for guardianship where needed.
• Certification and application requirements:
  • The Secretary of State certifies eligible persons after receiving a carefully prepared application that includes the person’s name, birth date, evidence of risk, and consent to share Safe at Home information with specific program participants.
  • Applications may include consent to verify Safe at Home participation with third parties and to designate a mailing/processing contact for the participant.
• Use and protection of the designated address:
  • Program participants’ designated address must be used for mail and official purposes, and entities cannot require disclosure of a real location beyond the designated address.
  • Mail to a designated address must be forwarded by the Secretary of State to the participant.
  • The designated address can be used as the participant’s work address and, for those who register businesses, the business address as well.
  • Banks and financial institutions must accept the designated address for opening accounts; a participant’s Safe at Home street address also can be used for business interactions if the business is registered with that address.
• Privacy and protective orders:
  • When a participant’s actual address is protected, disclosure must be narrowly tailored and only allowed if a court finds a legitimate need that cannot be met otherwise.
  • Courts must give participants notice and an opportunity to present evidence about potential harm before disclosing any address.
  • Protective orders may restrict disclosure of the participant’s address beyond the participant’s actual address to prevent location discovery.
• Criminal penalties and nondiscrimination:
  • Acts prohibited by the Safe at Home chapter that lack penalties are misdemeanors.
  • If a prohibited act causes bodily harm, the violator faces a felony.
  • Prohibit discrimination against program participants in services (housing, banking, education, etc.) and allow civil action to halt violations.
• Agency structure and responsibilities:
  • Agencies must designate a Safe at Home coordinator to interface with the program and answer participant inquiries; designation required by August 1, 2026 (otherwise the agency head serves as coordinator).
  • Agencies must also designate an ADA coordinator, an affirmative action officer, and assist with civil service processes to support Safe at Home goals.
• Documentation and proof of Minnesota residence:
  • The bill expands acceptable documents for proving principal Minnesota residence, including Safe at Home cards as proof of address, and allows a parent/guardian to provide proof for a minor.
  • A wide range of documents, such as utility bills, bank statements, tax filings, licenses, and housing documents, are listed as acceptable evidence of residency.
• Administrative and civil service updates:
  • The bill adds Safe at Home-related duties to civil service and personnel management, including data sharing requirements and designated coordinators.
• Training and education:
  • Court personnel (judges, judicial education programs) must receive ongoing training on child and adolescent sexual abuse, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking, and related issues, including Safe at Home.
  • Peace officers must receive in-service training on crisis intervention, mental illness, diversity, hate crimes, and Safe at Home; Safe at Home-specific training must be included.
  • Training requirements apply to officers with licensing cycles and specify minimum hours and standards.
• “Safe at Home” designation in official records:
  • Safe at Home information and designated addresses must be recognized in driver licenses, state IDs, vehicle titles, property records, and other official documents.
  • The program card is recognized as a valid document for proof of Safe at Home status.
• Transition and implementation:
  • Several sections take effect with timeline-driven changes and program coordination, including mail forwarding, address confidentiality protections, and agency coordination.

Significant changes to existing law

• Expands the Safe at Home program to provide broader address confidentiality protections and a clearer process for certifying and using a designated address.
• Requires all relevant state agencies to appoint a Safe at Home coordinator and other personnel roles (ADA coordinator, affirmative action officer) to ensure compliance and support for program participants.
• Strengthens privacy protections around participants’ addresses, including stricter limits on disclosure and more robust court oversight when disclosure is considered.
• Integrates Safe at Home protections into critical identity documents (driver licenses, state IDs) and banking relationships (designated address used for accounts).
• Broadens evidence acceptable to prove Minnesota residency, including Safe at Home documentation, and allows parental proof for minors when needed.
• Introduces explicit nondiscrimination protections and civil remedies for participants who face service denial or disparate treatment.
• Elevates training requirements for law enforcement, judges, and other public officials to improve handling of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and hate crime contexts, including Safe at Home.

Practical implications for participants and agencies

• Participants can rely on a designated address for most official communications, which can reduce risk and improve safety.
• Protected address information is less likely to be disclosed in court settings or public records without strong, court-ordered justification.
• Agencies will need to designate and coordinate Safe at Home activities, potentially improving consistency and handling of confidential information.
• Banks, schools, housing providers, and other service providers will have clearer rules about using designated addresses and supporting Safe at Home participants.
• Law enforcement and courts will have enhanced training and procedures to address safety, bias, and the needs of victims who participate in Safe at Home.

Relevant Terms - Safe at Home - program participant - eligible person - designated address - address confidentiality - domestic violence - harassment - stalking - protective order - mail forwarding - guardian ad litem - guardianship - nondiscrimination - advocate training - ADA coordinator - affirmative action officer - civil service - crisis intervention - mental illness - hate crimes - contact coordination (coordinator role) - Secretary of State - driver license - Minnesota identification card - Safe at Home card - Protective and privacy safeguards - civil remedies

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s major themes and provisions as introduced and amended in the text provided. It highlights how Safe at Home programs would be strengthened, how addresses and personal information would be protected, and how agencies and public officials would interact with the program.