This bill establishes a legal framework for property owners in Minnesota to remove unauthorized persons from their residential real property. It introduces a new section, [500.35], which outlines the conditions under which a property owner or their authorized agent can request the sheriff to remove an unlawful occupant. The bill specifies that the unauthorized person must not have permission to occupy the property, must not be a current or former tenant or a family member, and must not be involved in any pending litigation regarding the property. The property owner must submit a formal complaint to the sheriff, who will verify the complaint and serve a notice to vacate to the unauthorized occupant.

Additionally, the bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 504B.001, to clarify the definitions of "residential tenant" and introduce a new term, "unlawful occupant." A residential tenant is defined as someone occupying a dwelling under a lease, while an unlawful occupant is someone who does not have a lease, is not a tenant, and lacks permission from the landlord to occupy the dwelling. The bill also includes provisions for the sheriff's immunity from liability when acting in good faith, potential civil actions for wrongful removal, and criminal penalties for providing false information in the complaint process. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 504B.001