Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Minnesota
Minnesota2026Passed Legislature

HF3676

Changes to Minnesota Safe at Home Program Rules

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM

In one sentence

This law updates who can join the Safe at Home program, adds new steps for applying including a statement about not avoiding criminal prosecution, and sets strict rules courts must follow before revealing a participant's hidden address.

What it does

  • Adds emancipated minors as people allowed to apply for the program on their own behalf.
  • Requires applicants to state they are not hiding from criminal prosecution when joining the program.
  • Mandates that courts find no other way to get evidence before forcing a participant to reveal their real address in legal cases.
  • Gives participants notice and a chance to argue against sharing their address if a court wants it disclosed.
  • Requires courts to wait at least 30 days after ordering an address release before the order can be enforced.

Who it affects

  • Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking living in Minnesota
  • Emancipated minors and guardians acting for incapacitated persons
  • Courts handling legal cases involving program participants
  • The Secretary of State who manages the Safe at Home program

Limits and unknowns

  • People required to register as predatory offenders cannot join this program.
  • Courts can skip the waiting period for address disclosure if it would delay a defendant's right to a speedy trial.
  • The text provided does not list specific criminal penalties or funding amounts.

Plain language

Terms to know

Safe at Home Program
A state system that hides a person's real address from public records to protect them from harm.
Emancipated Minor
A young person under 18 who has been given legal independence by a court and can act as an adult in certain situations.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Safe at Home program; protections, remedies, and various provisions provided and modified; and criminal penalties established.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Presented to Governor 05/04/2026House
  2. Presentment date 05/04/2026Senate
  3. Returned from SenateHouse
  4. Special Order: Rule 45 amendment strickenSenate
  5. Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF3959Senate
  6. Received from HouseSenate
  7. Third readingHouse
  8. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Monday, April 20, 2026House
  9. Committee report, to adopt as amendedHouse
  10. Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Transportation Finance and PolicyHouse
  11. Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to State Government Finance and PolicyHouse
  12. Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil LawHouse