The proposed bill aims to clarify and expand Minnesota's laws regarding the use of force in self-defense and defense of one's home. It codifies existing self-defense laws while eliminating the common law duty to retreat when defending oneself outside of the home. The bill also broadens the definition of "dwelling" to include various types of accommodations and vehicles, and establishes a presumption of reasonable belief in imminent threat when a person unlawfully enters a dwelling or occupied vehicle. Additionally, it extends the rights of individuals defending their homes to include those defending their occupied vehicles.

Key amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.065, include the redefinition of justifiable use of force, the introduction of specific definitions for terms such as "deadly force," "forcible felony," and "good faith," and the establishment of a burden of proof on the state in criminal trials involving claims of justifiable use of force. The bill also provides immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals using force in accordance with the new provisions. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.065