WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 3990

Public safety; policy provided for public safety, correctional facilities, investigations, Department of Public Safety data, controlled substances, crime victims, orders for protection, private detective and protective agent licensure, employment disqualifications, sentence adjustments, expungement relief, domestic abuse-related crimes and data, use of chemical irritants, crimes of coercion, retail theft, identity theft, and fraud; reimbursements provided; "battered women" term replaced in statute where it appears; criminal penalties provided; reports required; and rulemaking required.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brion Curran and 2 co-sponsors

Minnesota bill modifying criminal conviction restrictions on employment and occupational licensing eligibility and decision-making processes.

HF indefinitely postponed
#crimesandcriminals #governmentaloperations-state #publicsafetydepartment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 3990

Legislative bill overview

HF 3990 modifies Minnesota law regarding employment and occupational restrictions based on criminal convictions. The bill adjusts how employers and licensing bodies can consider an individual's criminal history when making hiring or licensing decisions. The specific amendments would alter the criteria and processes for determining when conviction-based employment barriers can be applied.

Why is this important

Criminal conviction records create significant barriers to employment and professional licensing, affecting formerly incarcerated individuals' ability to reintegrate into the workforce and support themselves. These restrictions have broad economic consequences, influencing recidivism rates, poverty cycles, and community stability. The bill addresses whether current restrictions are appropriately calibrated or whether they create unnecessary barriers to productive employment.

Potential points of contention

  • Balancing public safety with rehabilitation: Determining which convictions should permanently restrict certain professions (e.g., childcare, finance, transportation) versus which should allow discretionary consideration after sufficient time
  • Business and licensing board authority: Whether employers and professional regulators should have broad discretion to deny employment/licenses based on conviction history, or whether statutory limits should constrain that discretion
  • Scope of affected convictions: Whether the bill applies only to serious felonies or includes misdemeanors, and whether certain crime categories (violent offenses, sexual offenses, etc.) should be treated differently

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

Sign in to ask a question.