SF4597 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Increase the statute limitations for crimes involving medical assistance fraud or other theft of money belonging to the government
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill would change how long prosecutors have to charge someone with a crime in Minnesota. It expands and adjusts the statute of limitations, with a focus on crimes involving fraud, especially those related to medical assistance and government funds. The goal is to set specific timeframes for different offenses and add some exceptions.
Main Provisions (Time Limits by Offense)
- a) Indictments or complaints for any crime resulting in the death of the victim: can be filed at any time after the death.
- b) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.25: can be filed at any time after the offense.
- c) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.282 when the victim was under 18 at the time: can be filed at any time after the offense.
- d) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.282 when the victim was 18 or older at the time, or for section 609.42(1) clauses 1 or 2: must be filed within six years after the offense.
- e) Indictments or complaints for violation of sections 609.322, 609.342 to 609.345, and 609.3458: can be filed at any time after the offense.
- f) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.561: must be filed within ten years after the offense.
- g) Indictments or complaints for violation of sections 609.466 and 609.52, subdivision 2, clause a, item iii: must be filed within six to ten years after the offense.
- h) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.52, subdivision 2, paragraph 3 or 4, where the property consists of public funds belonging to the state or a political subdivision or agency: must be filed within ten years after the offense.
- i) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.2335 and 609.52, subdivision 2, paragraph a, clause 3 items i and ii, 4, and 609.631 or 609.821, where the property stolen did not consist of public funds and the value of the property or services stolen is more than $35,000, or for violation of section 609.527 where eight or more direct victims or the total combined loss to direct and indirect victims is more than $35,000: must be filed within five years after the offense.
- j) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.671 (false material statements, representations, or omissions): must be filed within five years after the offense.
- k) Indictments or complaints for violation of sections 609.562 and 609.563: must be filed within five years after the offense.
- l) Indictments or complaints for violation of section 609.746: must be filed within the later of three years after the offense or three years after the offense was reported to law enforcement.
- m) In all other cases: indictments or complaints must be filed within three years after the offense.
- n) Residency consideration: the time limits exclude periods when the defendant was not an inhabitant of or usually resident within Minnesota.
- o) Pretrial diversion: the time limits exclude periods during which the offender is participating under a written pretrial diversion agreement relating to that offense.
- p) DNA analysis: the time limits exclude periods when physical evidence related to the offense was undergoing DNA analysis, unless the defendant shows that law enforcement purposefully delayed the DNA analysis to gain an unfair advantage.
Notable Changes and Effects
- Some crimes have no statute of limitations (no deadline) and can be charged at any time, such as certain deaths and certain offenses listed in the bill.
- Many offenses have extended or new deadlines (ranging from six to ten years) depending on the type of crime and the involvement of factors like victims or public funds.
- Specific high-value or multi-victim financial offenses may have a five-year deadline if the property stolen is not public funds and certain loss/victim thresholds are met.
- The bill creates clear exceptions that pause or shorten the counting of time: when the offender is not a Minnesota resident, when the offender is in a pretrial diversion program, and when DNA analysis is ongoing (with a caveat about purposeful delay).
- It places particular emphasis on crimes involving medical assistance fraud and theft of government funds, aligning time limits with the seriousness or complexity of those offenses.
Practical Implications
- Prosecutors may have more time to bring charges for some fraud and government-finance-related crimes, potentially allowing longer investigations.
- Some offenses, including deadly crimes and certain violent offenses, retain extended or unlimited timeframes, which can affect case planning and resources.
- The inclusion of pretrial diversion and DNA analysis timing means certain delays in the investigative process could extend deadlines, while deliberate delays could be addressed by the court.
- Businesses, government programs, and victims of large financial losses may see changes in how quickly charges must be filed, especially for high-dollar or multi-victim cases.
Relevant Terms - statute of limitations - indictments - complaints - commission of the offense - proper court - any time after the death (homicide) - sections 609.25, 609.282, 609.322, 609.342, 609.3458, 609.561, 609.466, 609.52, 609.2335, 609.631, 609.821, 609.527, 609.671, 609.562, 609.563, 609.746 - medical assistance fraud - government funds - public funds - six years - ten years - five years - three years - victim (under 18, or eight or more direct victims) - value threshold ($35,000) - eight direct victims - pretrial diversion program - written agreement - DNA analysis - residency (inhabitant or usual resident) - purposefully delayed DNA analysis - law enforcement delay - proper court (filing location)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 18, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minn. Stat. 628.26 to modify the statute of limitations for various crimes, including fraud and theft of government funds, by extending or restructuring the limitations periods for offenses listed in the section.",
"modified": [
"Revises time limits for indictments or complaints across multiple offenses listed in 628.26, establishing different windows (e.g., six years, ten years, three years) depending on the offense.",
"Incorporates exclusions from the limitations periods for pretrial diversion under a written agreement and for periods when DNA evidence was undergoing analysis, unless delay was caused by government delay."
]
},
"citation": "628.26",
"subdivision": "a through m"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Extends the limitations period for indictments or complaints for any crime resulting in the death of the victim to be found or made at any time after death.",
"modified": [
"Eliminates any time bar for prosecutions arising from homicide or death-related offenses under this statute."
]
},
"citation": "609.25",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Modifies the limitations period for violations of section 609.282 depending on the victim's age at the time of the offense.",
"modified": [
"Where the victim was under 18 at the time of the offense, and where the victim was 18 or older at the time of the offense (or under certain references to 609.42), indictments or complaints must be found or filed within six years after the commission of the offense."
]
},
"citation": "609.282",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in relation to the six-year limitation framework when the victim's age or specific subparts apply.",
"modified": [
"Ensures the six-year window applies to offenses described in 609.42 subdivision 1 clauses 1 or 2 as part of the overall limitation scheme."
]
},
"citation": "609.42",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1, clause 1 or 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the group of statutes whose limitations are being aligned or extended under the bill.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates 609.322 into the set of offenses with updated limitations periods as described in 628.26."
]
},
"citation": "609.322",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the range of statutes (609.342 to 609.345 and 609.3458) referenced for modified limitations.",
"modified": [
"Applies the amended limitations framework to these sections as part of the overall reform."
]
},
"citation": "609.342",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included as part of the 609.342–609.345 range affected by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Amended limitations period considerations apply to 609.343 as part of the cited range."
]
},
"citation": "609.343",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included as part of the 609.342–609.345 range affected by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Amended limitations period considerations apply to 609.344 as part of the cited range."
]
},
"citation": "609.344",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included as part of the 609.342–609.345 range affected by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Amended limitations period considerations apply to 609.345 as part of the cited range."
]
},
"citation": "609.345",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included as part of the 609.342–609.345 range affected by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Amended limitations period considerations apply to 609.3458 as part of the cited range."
]
},
"citation": "609.3458",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the statutory framework being updated for limitations periods.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts time limits in relation to 609.561 within the broader amendments to 628.26."
]
},
"citation": "609.561",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in the unified schedule of limitation periods addressed by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Increases or aligns the limitation window for offenses under 609.466 as part of the bill."
]
},
"citation": "609.466",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses limitations for offenses involving property; within this bill, 609.52 subdivision 2 is linked to public funds or government-related property.",
"modified": [
"For the offenses described (including using public funds or property), the limitations period is set to ten years after the commission of the offense."
]
},
"citation": "609.52",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Listed among the statutes whose limitations are affected by the amendment.",
"modified": [
"Contextual reference to 609.2335 as part of the limitations restructuring."
]
},
"citation": "609.2335",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Contained in the set of statutes impacted by the bill’s changes to time limits.",
"modified": [
"Amended or aligned with the revised limitations framework described in 628.26."
]
},
"citation": "609.631",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Contained in the set of statutes impacted by the bill’s changes to time limits.",
"modified": [
"Amended or aligned with the revised limitations framework described in 628.26."
]
},
"citation": "609.821",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Listed among the offenses whose limitations are addressed in the amendment.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted limitations periods for 609.527 as part of the overall reform."
]
},
"citation": "609.527",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the broader limitations changes under the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updated limitations window for offenses under 609.671 in line with 628.26 revisions."
]
},
"citation": "609.671",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "One of the statutes included in the amendment's scope.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted limitations period in relation to 609.562 as part of the amendments."
]
},
"citation": "609.562",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "One of the statutes included in the amendment's scope.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted limitations period in relation to 609.563 as part of the amendments."
]
},
"citation": "609.563",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "One of the statutes included in the amendment's scope.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted limitations period under 609.746 as part of the reform."
]
},
"citation": "609.746",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Reference to the DNA analysis definition used in the bill (section 299C.155) within the pretrial or DNA-related timing exclusions.",
"modified": [
"DNA-analysis timing exclusions are recognized in relation to the limitations periods, subject to a possible demonstration of purposeful delay."
]
},
"citation": "299C.155",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee