This bill aims to enhance public safety by allowing for mitigated sentencing departures for offenders who have been victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking. It introduces new legal language that mandates courts to consider an offender's victimization during sentencing and allows for a mitigated departure from the presumptive sentence if the court finds that the victimization contributed to the offense. Additionally, the bill requires presentence investigation reports to include information about whether the defendant has been a victim of such crimes and any connection to the offense committed. The bill also directs the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to amend the list of mitigating factors to include these circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill provides that offenders who have been victims can apply for a pardon or clemency, with specific criteria outlined for eligibility. It amends several sections of Minnesota Statutes to incorporate these changes, including provisions for supportive services during probation for affected offenders. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to sentencing hearings and presentence investigations conducted on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.115, 609.133, 638.12, 638.15, 638.19