A batch of new laws went into effect on July 1, and we’re going to recap the new laws that are most relevant to our criminal law practice. Very few criminal laws went into effect at the year’s midway point, but some of the changes will still have an impact on clients and victims. Check out our recap below.
New Criminal Laws In Minnesota
Mandatory Teacher Reporting
A new law states that police are now required to notify the appropriate licensing board when a teacher is criminally charged with an offense that triggers an automatic license suspension. Currently, the five categories that could lead to an automatic license suspension in Minnesota include:
1) immoral conduct, insubordination, or conviction of a felony;
(2) conduct unbecoming a teacher which requires the immediate removal of the teacher from classroom or other duties;
(3) failure without justifiable cause to teach without first securing the written release of the school board;
(4) gross inefficiency which the teacher has failed to correct after reasonable written notice;
(5) willful neglect of duty.
Additionally, lawmakers have added a sixth action to this list – grooming. The grooming offense requires official reporting when it becomes law on August 1, 2026. Grooming has been defined in Minnesota as when a person 18 years or older “expresses to a child the desire or intent to engage in sexual conduct with that child” and “engages in a deliberate pattern of conduct to methodically develop a false trusting relationship with the child that is intended to strategically manipulate the child to engage in sexual conduct with the person at a future time, regardless of whether any sexual conduct occurs.”
Social Media And Mental Health Warnings
A law was passed that requires social media platforms to display mental health warnings whenever a user accesses the platform. However, the messages are not yet being displayed as the attorney general said they are waiting to enforce the law until a challenge from a coalition of tech companies plays out in court.
Mental Health Funding For Young Children
A new law establishes an early childhood mental health grant program that is designed to identify and support the mental health needs of children under five years old. Advocates believe early intervention can help get children back on track sooner and prevent run-ins with law enforcement later in life.
Public Safety Grants
Some large public safety grants were officially earmarked on July 1. Some of those include:
- $12 million for a new Minnesota Victims of Crime account for grants to crime victim service provides who provide services like legal advocacy or emergency shelters.
- Nearly $7 million for courthouse security improvements and threat response monitoring.
- Funding to increase security around the Capitol complex.
- $2.12 million for the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund to conduct mandatory de-escalation and bias training for law enforcement.
If you find yourself in need of legal assistance or are facing a criminal charge in Minnesota, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
