The Minnesota state legislature's 2026 session recessed in May, and while there were many bills that did not pass, there were some really impactful policy and budget wins for the work we do and the people we serve. These wins are not possible without the heaving lifting of our coalition partners AND your voices and advocacy with your state representatives.
Some of the wins and bills passed this year at the state legislature related to domestic violence include:
Funding Bills
Crime Victim Services Funding
One time funding of $12M to cover the gap resulting from a 20% cut in dollars from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) that supports crime victim service organizations in Minnesota. This one-time funding supports multiple organizations throughout the state and is awarded via a competitive grant cycle. It is important to note that while the $12M makes up for OJP's 20% cut in funding this year, the total amount they provide to service organizations like ours is still not enough to meet the demand for services. Funding from OJP to contract for services like Tubman provides has remained flat since 2018. While the cost of everything has risen quite dramatically since 2018, this funding remaining flat equates to a cut in dollars for organizations that support victims of crime. Organizations like Tubman rely on this funding to serve thousands of people experiencing violence and trauma. Without a long-term funding fix, there will be less services for people in crisis. We will be back at work supporting our coalition partners next year as we advocate for longer term solutions.
Policy Changes
HF4075 - Domestic Violence Related Gun Bill
This bill helps increase protections and close loop holes by requiring through statute Order for Protection (OFP) and Child Protective Orders for Protection forms to ask if the survivor knows of any guns and the location of the guns. This may make it easier for law enforcement to locate and take possession of firearms owned by the person using violence and the respondent to the OFP. This bill also requires transfer of firearms from criminal or civil sanctions to happen within 10 days.
HF3970 - Contract for Deed Changes to Better Support Victim Survivors of Domestic Violence
This bill provides more protection to survivors who entered into a contract for deed agreement with their partner, when their partner who used violence vacates the property and stops contributing to payment for said property. Previously, an abuser may vacate a property and stop making payments, while the survivor maintains residency and continues payments, but the abuser was still entitled to 50% share of the property when their contract ends. This bill allows the survivor to eliminate the partner from the deed and become the sole owner of the home.
SF4760 - Omnibus Public Safety Policy Bill
Victims Rights in Plea Proceedings: This explicitly states a prosecutor must make reasonable efforts to inform victims of their right to be present at a plea hearing, their right to express objection at the plea hearing, and of any eligibility of dismissed offenses for automatic expungements.
Stalking: Adds stalking to the list of violent crimes, which also makes any person convicted of these crimes ineligible to own a gun.
Judge Requirements: Requires the judge to ask the prosecutor if the victim has been made aware of all required disclosures at sentencing and plea hearings.
Harassment Restraining Order Notification: Law enforcement must make reasonable efforts to notify a petitioner of a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) immediately before or after they plan to/have completed the delivery.
BCA Notification of Domestic Violence Calls: Requires law enforcement to report domestic violence calls to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with details of specific data points that must reported like the number of arrests, the crime(s) they were arrested for, if the person who originally called was arrested, and list any firearms that were present.
Extension of Warrantless Arrest Rule for Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Cases: This extends the ability for law enforcement to arrest an individual for misdemeanor domestic violence charges based on probable cause from 72 hours to 14 days, helping alleviate a suspect who may have tried to avoid arrest previously by fleeing the scene or hiding in the immediacy after an assault.
Overall, the 2026 session provided meaningful changes to increase safety and justice for survivors of domestic violence in Minnesota. Thank you for using your voices and supporting Tubman and the many people we serve.
