This bill aims to enhance public safety by granting city attorneys in Hennepin County the authority to file delinquency petitions and prosecute certain offenses when the county attorney declines to do so. Specifically, city attorneys can take action in cases involving offenses against peace officers, as defined in existing law, and when the alleged violation occurred within the city limits. The bill also allows city attorneys to issue administrative subpoenas in specific cases, thereby expanding their prosecutorial powers. The effective date for these provisions is set for August 1, 2025, and they apply to offenses committed on or after that date, as well as to prior offenses if the juvenile court has jurisdiction.

Additionally, the bill makes several conforming changes to existing statutes, including the replacement of "county attorney" with "prosecuting authority" in various sections, thereby broadening the scope of who can prosecute juvenile offenses. It also clarifies that city attorneys may prosecute felony violations under certain conditions, further empowering local legal authorities. The bill includes effective dates for these changes, primarily set for August 1, 2025, with some provisions effective as early as July 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the prosecution of juvenile offenses and enhance the ability of city attorneys to respond to public safety concerns.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 260B.141, 388.051, 484.87, 260B.007, 260B.163, 260B.171, 260B.335, 260B.425, 388.23, 390.251