Legislative approval for peacetime emergency extension required, and duration limited.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bjorn Olson

HF 732 would require Department of Corrections inmate labor to be paid at least Minnesota minimum wage, and automatically restore inmates’ voting rights.

Introduction and first reading, referred to State Government Finance and Policy

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Purpose and intent

HF 732 would require that inmates employed or performing labor under the custody and control of the Department of Corrections be paid at least the Minnesota minimum wage. It also provides for automatic restoration of voting rights. The bill aims to replace the current practice, which allows only a discretionary, gratuity-style allowance, with a formal wage-paid system and associated financial protections and obligations.

Key provisions

Wage for inmate labor

Inmates shall be paid an hourly wage not less than the minimum wage established in Code section 91D.1(1)(b).
The director of the Department of Corrections would establish and administer an inmate wage system and related accounts.

Inmate accounts

The director shall create an inmate account to deposit wages (as authorized by Code section 904.701) and any money sent to the inmate from sources other than the department.

Deductions and savings

Up to 10% of wages may be deposited into an inmate savings fund.
The director may deduct from an inmate’s account any amounts sent to the inmate from non-corrections sources for deposit into the savings fund until the fund equals the amount due the inmate upon discharge, parole, or work-release placement.
The director shall deduct amounts legally obligated for child support, restitution, judgments (including taxes), court costs and fees tied to the inmate’s confinement, and costs for misconduct or damage to property.
The director may pay all or part of the remaining wages directly to a dependent.

Financial obligations and other deductions

Deductions may be used to satisfy court-ordered obligations, fines, and other costs as listed.
The bill contemplates directing funds toward the inmate’s dependents and ensuring financial accountability at discharge or transition points.

Voting rights

The bill provides for the automatic restoration of the inmate’s right to vote.

Who is affected

Inmates performing labor under the custody of the Department of Corrections.

Minnesota Department of Corrections (administration and wage-accounting responsibilities).

Inmates’ families and dependents (through potential wage payments to dependents and savings allocations).

General public through changes to voting-rights restoration procedures.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduction and first reading; referred to State Government Finance and Policy (initial chamber action noted as February 13, 2025) with later referral to Judiciary (March 4, 2025).

Sponsor: Primary sponsor Madison.

Related bill: Companion SF 241 in the Senate.

This is an early-stage bill; no amendments or final passage timeline at this time.

Relation to current law

Current law allows the corrections director to provide a discretionary allowance (not a wage) deemed appropriate for inmates, with limits tied to cost and labor comparisons.

HF 732 would replace the discretionary allowance with a guaranteed hourly wage, establish a formal wage-accounting framework, and implement mandatory deductions and savings provisions.

For readers seeking more detail, the bill text sets out specific deduction categories and the administrative mechanics for deposits and savings, as well as the automatic voting-rights restoration provision.

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