The proposed bill, known as the "Minnesota Stand Your Ground Act," aims to clarify the laws surrounding the use of force in self-defense situations. It eliminates the common law duty to retreat when a person is outside their home and expands the definition of "dwelling" to include various types of structures and vehicles where a person may reside. The bill establishes a presumption of the right to self-defense, allowing individuals to use or threaten reasonable force, including deadly force, without the obligation to retreat if they are lawfully present. Additionally, it amends existing statutes to reflect these changes and introduces new definitions related to self-defense.

Key provisions of the bill include the establishment of a pretrial immunity hearing for individuals claiming self-defense, which allows them to present their case before trial. The bill also outlines circumstances under which the presumption of self-defense can be rebutted and specifies that individuals who use force in self-defense are immune from arrest or prosecution unless there is probable cause to believe their actions were unjustified. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to uses of force occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.06, 609.065