Penalty for tampering with a motor vehicle increased, and crime for riding in a vehicle when the person reasonably should have known that a vehicle was taken without permission established.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how the new penalties will be enforced or specify which actions constitute tampering.

Increasing Penalties for Tampering with Motor Vehicles

The bill increases the penalty for tampering with a motor vehicle and establishes a crime for riding in a car when someone reasonably should know it was taken without permission.

What This Bill Does

• Increases the punishment for tampering with a motor vehicle.
• Establishes a new crime for riding in a vehicle if one knows or reasonably believes it was taken without permission.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who tamper with cars
• Individuals riding in vehicles they know or reasonably believe were taken without permission

Terms To Know

Tampering

To interfere with, damage, or misuse a motor vehicle.

Gross Misdemeanor

A serious offense that is more severe than a regular misdemeanor but less than a felony.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the new penalties will be enforced.
• It's unclear what specific actions are considered tampering with a motor vehicle.

Official Summary Text

Penalty for tampering with a motor vehicle increased, and crime for riding in a vehicle when the person reasonably should have known that a vehicle was taken without permission established.

Current Bill Text

A bill for an act

relating to public safety; increasing the penalty for tampering with a motor vehicle;

establishing a crime for riding in a vehicle when the person reasonably should

have known that a vehicle was taken without permission; amending Minnesota

Statutes 2024, section 609.546.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.546, is amended to read:

609.546 MOTOR VEHICLE TAMPERING.

A person is guilty of a
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gross
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misdemeanor who intentionally:

(1) rides in or on a motor vehicle
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knowing
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when the person knows or reasonably should

know
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that the vehicle was taken and is being driven by another without the owner's

permission; or

(2) tampers with or enters into or on a motor vehicle without the owner's permission.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes

committed on or after that date.

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