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HF 3380

Aggravated durational departure required for certain violent offenders who use a firearm, certain sentences required to be imposed consecutively to other sentences, and certain offenders required to serve an entire announced sentence in prison.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Peggy Bennett and 2 co-sponsors

HF 3380 tightens violent/firearm sentencing by allowing aggravated departures, requires some sentences to run consecutively, and mandates full-term service for certain offenders.

Authors added Bennett and Engen
#correctionsandcorrectionsdepartment #crimesentences #publicsafetydepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 3380

Summary of HF 3380 (2025-2026) — Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 3380 proposes several changes to sentencing provisions for violent offenders, with emphasis on firearm-related offenses. The bill introduces a requirement for aggravated durational departures in specific cases, mandates consecutive sentencing in certain circumstances, and requires some offenders to serve the entire announced prison term. The overall goal appears to be to increase accountability and ensure longer, more certain periods of confinement for violent and firearm-related offenses.

Key provisions

  • Aggravated durational departure for certain violent offenders who use a firearm

    • The bill creates a mechanism to impose a more severe durational departure (i.e., a longer-than-standard sentence) for offenders convicted of violent offenses who used a firearm during the commission of the crime.
    • The exact criteria for when the aggravated departure applies (e.g., types of offenses, prior record, or aggravating factors) are not detailed in the provided summary, but the language indicates a broader ability for judges to depart upward beyond standard sentencing guidelines in firearm-involved violent crimes.

  • Certain sentences required to be imposed consecutively to other sentences

    • HF 3380 requires that some sentences run consecutively, rather than concurrently, to other sentences the offender is serving or will serve.
    • This provision aims to ensure that multiple offenses result in a longer total period of confinement rather than overlapping terms.

  • Certain offenders required to serve an entire announced sentence in prison

    • The bill mandates that a subset of offenders must serve the full term of their announced prison sentence, rather than receiving reductions, time-served credits, or early release provisions that might otherwise shorten actual time served.
    • This could affect offenders who are given determinate sentences or other configurations where the announced term would be fully served.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals convicted of violent crimes, particularly those involving a firearm, could be subject to aggravated durational departures.
  • Offenders with multiple offenses or sentences could be affected by the requirement that certain sentences run consecutively, potentially increasing total incarceration time.
  • Offenders who fall into the category of those subject to the “entire announced sentence” rule would experience the full duration of their stated term in prison, without typical reductions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduction and first reading occurred on February 17, 2026; referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy.
  • Authors/ Sponsors:
    • Co-sponsors: Walter Hudson, Peggy Bennett, Elliott Engen
    • Bill authorship added Bennett and Engen on February 19, 2026
  • The bill will move through committee processes typical of Minnesota House of Representatives, with potential amendments that could clarify:
    • The exact offense categories triggering aggravated durational departures
    • Definitions of “consecutive” versus “concurrent” sentences in applicable contexts
    • Which sentences are subject to the “entire announced sentence” requirement and any exceptions (e.g., credits, good conduct, or other statutory provisions)

Potential impact and considerations

  • Impact on sentencing severity: The bill would generally increase the severity and predictability of punishment for violent offenses involving firearms, potentially reducing discretion to impose shorter sentences in these cases.
  • Incarceration duration: By mandating consecutive terms and full-term service for some offenders, total time incarcerated could rise, affecting prison population and related costs.
  • Judicial discretion: The aggravated durational departure provision grants judges greater latitude to impose longer sentences than standard guidelines in specified firearm-related violent offenses.
  • Policy considerations: The changes may raise questions about rehabilitation, recidivism, and the balance between public safety and judicial discretion, as well as the fiscal implications for the state prison system.

If you’d like, I can add a proposed outline of possible amendments or compare HF 3380 to current Minnesota sentencing statutes to highlight exact statutory shifts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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