This bill aims to enhance public safety by establishing new reporting requirements for county attorneys regarding the dismissal of criminal charges. It mandates that county attorneys record specific information when dismissing felony charges, including the defendant's name, the date of the offense, all crimes charged, any charges dismissed, victim support for the dismissal, the date of dismissal, and the reason for the dismissal. This information must be forwarded to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and published on the county attorney's publicly accessible website, ensuring transparency while protecting victim identities.

Additionally, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission is required to include a summary and analysis of the dismissal reports in its annual report to the legislature. The new provisions will be effective starting August 1, 2025, and will apply to dismissals occurring on or after that date. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 244.09, by adding a subdivision and proposes new coding in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 388.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 244.09