The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to maintain the minimum age of delinquency at ten years old, ensuring that children under this age are not classified as delinquent for committing offenses. Specifically, it removes provisions that would have excluded children from being considered delinquent if they committed acts before turning 13 years old, effective August 1, 2026. The bill also clarifies the definition of a "delinquent child" and a "juvenile petty offender," ensuring that certain serious offenses, such as first-degree murder and sexual offenses, are not included in these classifications.

Additionally, the bill updates the definition of a "child in need of protection or services" to include various circumstances that may endanger a child's well-being, such as abandonment, abuse, neglect, and exposure to criminal activity. It introduces new language to specify that a child whose parent has had their rights involuntarily terminated may also be considered in need of protection. The amendments aim to strengthen the legal framework surrounding juvenile justice and child welfare in Minnesota, ensuring that the system addresses the needs of vulnerable children while holding them accountable for serious offenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 260B.007, 260C.007