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HF 3825

Health occupations; licensing and scope of practice modified for acupuncture and herbal medicine practice, athletic training, mortuary science, social work, dentistry practice, marriage and family therapy, pharmacy practice, physical therapists, and advanced practice registered nurses; registration established for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists; licensure established for music therapists; unlicensed practice provisions modified; advisory councils established; civil penalties; reports required; fees imposed; and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ripper Repinski and 2 co-sponsors

HF 3825 expands victim notification and participation in plea, sentencing, and expungement decisions, while protecting victim identity and broadening “violent crime” protections.

Secretary of State Chapter 115 05/27/26
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Bill Summary · HF 3825

Summary of HF 3825 (2025-2026) - Minnesota

HF 3825, authored by Rep. Repinski, addresses several crime victims’ rights provisions and procedures related to plea negotiations, sentencing, expungement eligibility, and protection of victim identity. The bill introduces a series of requirements for judges, prosecutors, and the court system to enhance victim notice and participation, and expands protections for victims in various contexts.

  • Session/Jurisdiction: Minnesota House, 2025-2026
  • Status: Report adopted; referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law; placed on General Register; second reading
  • Sponsor: Rep. Repinski

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Strengthen victim participation and information flow in criminal cases.
  • Ensure judges and prosecutors take concrete steps to notify victims about plea discussions, sentencing hearings, and potential expungement.
  • Protect the identity of crime victims (including minor victims) in records and proceedings.
  • Expand victim protections in related areas (e.g., stalking, employer retaliation).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Requirement for Judge to Inquire About Victim Notification (Sec. 4)

  • At the plea hearing where the plea is presented, the court must ask:
    • Whether the prosecutor has informed the victim about the plea agreement recommendation and the sentencing implications.
    • Whether the victim has been notified about the plea hearing.
    • Whether the victim wishes to express objections to the plea orally, in writing, or through the prosecutor.

B. Protection of Victim Identity in Prosecutor’s Petition for Sentence Adjustment (Sec. 2)

  • Amends records related to petitions for sentence adjustment to shield victim identity.
  • Data identifying a minor victim shall be accessible to the public only by court order; other data remains accessible with protections for the victim’s identity (defendant’s identity remains identifiable).

C. Expanded Victim Notification for Automatic Expungement (Sec. 3)

  • Prohibits a broad set of information in plea agreements from being withheld from victims.
  • Requires prosecutors to inform victims about the offender’s eligibility for automatic expungement under 609A.015 for offenses pleaded to or dismissed as part of the plea.

D. Plea Agreement Notification and Rights (Secs. 3 and 4)

  • Before accepting the factual basis for a plea, prosecutors must notify victims of:
    • Contents of the plea agreement recommendation and sentencing implications.
    • The victim’s right to be present at sentencing and to object to the agreement.
    • The offense’s eligibility for automatic expungement.
  • Plea hearing section requires the court to confirm whether the victim has been notified and whether the victim wishes to express objections.

E. Expanded Definition and Protections for “Violent Crime” (Sec. 5)

  • Expands the list of offenses considered “violent crime” for purposes of the statute, including a broad array of listed offenses (e.g., murder, manslaughter, various forms of assault, domestic abuse, trafficking, sexual offenses, etc.).
  • Ensures victim protection and notification provisions align with these expanded definitions.

F. Right to Submit Victim Impact Statements at Sentencing (Sec. 6)

  • Retains and clarifies victim impact statements at sentencing or disposition hearings.
  • Prohibits responses from being excessive; allows oral, written, or prosecutor-mediated submission.
  • Court must inquire whether the victim wishes to submit an impact statement and may permit submissions by a representative of the community affected.

G. Notice to Victims Regarding Sentence Modifications (Sec. 7)

  • Requires prosecutors to notify victims within 15 working days after conviction about final dispositions, including:
    • Rights under 611A.06 and eligibility for automatic expungement.
    • For sentence modification reviews, requires notification of date, location, contact, and method to provide input.
  • The Office of Justice Programs must develop and update a model notice of postconviction rights.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Victims and identifiable crime victims (including minors) receive enhanced notification rights.
  • Prosecutors and supervising agents who process plea agreements and sentence adjustments.
  • Judges presiding over plea hearings, sentencing, and postconviction reviews.
  • Defendants: subject to expanded notice and victim participation requirements.
  • Agencies: Office of Justice Programs (model notices) and Department of Public Safety.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Notification timelines:
    • Victim notice of final disposition: within 15 working days after conviction (Sec. 7).
    • Notice for sentence modification reviews: details provided ahead of the review (date, location, contact, and method for input) (Sec. 7).
  • Plea hearing: judge must inquire about victim notification status and the victim’s ability to object (Sec. 4).
  • Data privacy: victim identity data in certain records protected; minor victims’ identities access restricted unless court orders (Sec. 2).
  • Expungement: explicit consideration of automatic expungement eligibility in plea-related contexts (Secs. 3 and 7).
  • Model forms/notices: DPS to develop/update model notices for postconviction rights (Sec. 7).

5) Notable Implications

  • Potentially greater victim engagement in plea and sentencing processes.
  • Increased transparency and accountability for prosecutors in notifying victims.
  • Heightened privacy protections for victim identities, especially for minor victims.
  • Administrative impact on court workflows and record-keeping; requires consistent use of model notices and compliant data handling.

This summary presents the substantive elements of HF 3825 as introduced and moved through committee, focusing on the main objectives, what changes would be made, who is affected, and key procedural timelines.

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

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