This bill aims to enhance public safety by providing compensation to individuals who have been exonerated after wrongful convictions. It amends Minnesota Statutes to establish a process for awarding preliminary monetary damages to exonerated individuals, specifically when a prosecutor indicates their support for the petition prior to its filing. The bill introduces a new subdivision that allows for a prompt payment of $5,000 for each year of incarceration and $2,500 for each year served on supervised release, with provisions for prorating partial years. Additionally, it clarifies that final damages awarded will be reduced by the amount of preliminary damages received.

Furthermore, the bill creates an Exoneration Compensation Account within the special revenue fund, which is appropriated for the payment of these preliminary damages. It mandates a transfer of $250,000 from the general fund to this account for fiscal year 2026, ensuring that the account maintains a balance sufficient to cover these payments. The amendments to existing statutes also include changes to the eligibility criteria for compensation, emphasizing the role of the prosecutor in establishing a claimant's eligibility based on the circumstances surrounding their exoneration.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 590.11, 611.365