SF4466 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Visitors of public postsecondary institutions carrying of firearms regulations provision
Related bill: HF4362
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
Explain and clarify how firearms may be carried on campuses and on property of public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota. The bill aims to let certain groups on campus be subject to specific policies about carrying firearms while on campus or related property, while also protecting the right to carry in parking areas.
Main Provisions
- Employers (whether public or private) may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by employees while they are working.
- Public postsecondary institutions (regulated under certain chapters) may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by students while on the institution’s property, with academic sanctions possible for violations.
- Public postsecondary institutions may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by visitors while on the institution’s property. If a visitor carries a firearm in violation, the institution may order the person to leave the premises; if the person refuses to leave, they may be charged with a petty misdemeanor.
- For violations of these policies, a firearm carried in violation is not subject to forfeiture under the relevant forfeiture statute.
- Notably, an employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.
Significance and Changes to Law
- Creates a framework for campus employers and institutions to regulate firearms for employees, students, and visitors, with clear enforcement options (e.g., orders to leave, petty misdemeanor penalties for non-compliance).
- Establishes penalties and enforcement while maintaining a specific exception for parking facilities, where lawful carry/possession cannot be prohibited.
- Uses existing legal references (e.g., Notwithstanding provisions) to align campus firearm policies with broader Minnesota law, and distinguishes between sanctions for violations (civil or academic) and criminal penalties (petty misdemeanor for leaving after an order).
Practical Impact
- On-campus environments: Employers and public colleges/universities can adopt or enforce policies restricting firearms among staff, students, and visitors.
- Enforcement: Violations can lead to removal from campus and potential petty misdemeanor charges for failing to comply; fines are capped for a first offense.
- Parking areas: People may lawfully carry in parking facilities, and campuses cannot ban lawful carry in those specific areas, even as other campus areas are restricted.
Notable Terms in Context
- firearms, carry, possession
- employees, students, visitors
- public postsecondary institutions (regulated under chapters 136F or 137)
- campus property, institution property
- parking facility, parking area
- petty misdemeanor
- academic sanctions, civil sanctions
- forfeiture (not applicable to violations here)
- Notwithstanding (legal mechanism used in the statute)
Relevant Terms - firearms - carry - possession - campus - employee - student - visitor - public postsecondary institution - parking facility - parking area - petty misdemeanor - academic sanctions - civil sanctions - forfeiture - Notwithstanding - Minnesota Statutes 624.714 subdivision 18
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorizes employers of public colleges and universities to establish policies restricting the carry or possession of firearms by employees while acting in the course and scope of employment.",
"Authorizes public postsecondary institutions regulated under chapters 136F or 137 to establish policies restricting the carry or possession of firearms by students on the institution's property, with academic sanctions for violations.",
"Authorizes public postsecondary institutions regulated under chapters 136F or 137 to establish policies restricting the carry or possession of firearms by visitors on the institution's property, with the violator potentially ordered to leave the premises and offenses for violations treated as petty misdemeanors.",
"Notwithstanding the above, an employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.714, subdivision 18 to regulate the carry or possession of firearms on campuses of public postsecondary institutions by employees, students, and visitors, including sanctions and a parking facility carve-out.",
"modified": [
"Modifies Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.714, subdivision 18 to address enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and the parking facility carve-out, including that a firearm carried in violation is not subject to forfeiture under §609.531."
]
},
"citation": "624.714",
"subdivision": "subdivision 18"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorizes institutions governed by chapter 136F to adopt policies restricting firearms on campus for students and employees."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references public postsecondary institutions regulated under chapter 136F as eligible to establish campus firearms policies restricting carry on campus for students and employees.",
"modified": [
"Expands cross-reference to include institutions regulated under chapter 136F within the campus firearms policy framework."
]
},
"citation": "136F",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorizes institutions governed by chapter 137 to adopt policies restricting firearms on campus for visitors (and students) and related sanctions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references public postsecondary institutions regulated under chapter 137 as eligible to establish campus firearms policies restricting carry on campus for visitors and students.",
"modified": [
"Expands cross-reference to include institutions regulated under chapter 137 within the campus firearms policy framework."
]
},
"citation": "137",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies that firearms carried in violation of the campus policy are not subject to forfeiture under §609.531."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Notwithstanding section 609.531, a firearm carried in violation of the campus firearms policy may not be forfeited.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference clarifies penalties and enforcement related to campus firearms policies."
]
},
"citation": "609.531",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee