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SF4406 • 2026

Certain exclusions in homeowner's insurance policies prohibited when damage is done by a peace officer

Certain exclusions in homeowner's insurance policies prohibited when damage is done by a peace officer

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Westlin, Hoffman
Last action
2026-04-21
Official status
Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with HF4133
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-21 House

    Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with HF4133

  2. 2026-04-07 House

    Comm report: To pass as amended

  3. 2026-03-12 House

    Introduction and first reading

Official Summary Text

Certain exclusions in homeowner's insurance policies prohibited when damage is done by a peace officer

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act

relating to insurance; prohibiting certain exclusions in homeowner's insurance

policies when damage is done by a peace officer; amending Minnesota Statutes

2024, section 65A.27, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota

Statutes, chapter 65A.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65A.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

For purposes of sections
65A.27
to
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65A.302
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65A.304
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,
the following

terms have the meanings given.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective January 1, 2027, and applies to

homeowner's insurance policies offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

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Sec. 2.

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[65A.304] DAMAGE BY PEACE OFFICERS; MITIGATION.

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Subdivision 1.

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Definitions.

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(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have

the meanings given.

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(b) "Industrial hygienist" means an individual who has:

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(1) a certified industrial hygienist credential from the Board for Global EHS

Credentialing; or

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(2) an equivalent certification from a nationally or internationally recognized accrediting

body demonstrating competency in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of

occupational and environmental health hazards.

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(c) "Just compensation" has the meaning given in section 626.74, subdivision 1, clause

(1).

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(d) "Peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph

(c).

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Subd. 2.

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Exclusion prohibited.

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(a) A policy of homeowner's insurance must not exclude

coverage for property damage if the homeowner is an innocent third party entitled to just

compensation under section 626.74 and the damage results from a peace officer's use of

chemical irritants, smoke screens, or diversionary devices.

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(b) Nothing in this section affects a local government's duty to pay just compensation

under section 626.74.

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(c) Nothing in paragraph (a) prohibits a civil authority exclusion or other policy provision

as long as the coverage for just compensation is not excluded.

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Subd. 3.

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Mitigation.

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(a) Under a policy of homeowner's insurance, an insurer must allow

a homeowner to choose a mitigation contractor and, if necessary, an industrial hygienist to

assess and remediate damage due to a peace officer's use of chemical irritants, smoke screens,

or diversionary devices, when the homeowner is owed just compensation under section

626.74.

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(b) The work performed by a mitigation contractor or industrial hygienist under this

subdivision must follow recognized industry standards.

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Subd. 4.

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Insurer subrogation and reimbursement.

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(a) If an insurer pays benefits to

or on behalf of a homeowner for damage described in this section, the insurer is subrogated

as a matter of law to the homeowner's right to recover just compensation from the responsible

local government unit.

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(b) Payment made by an insurer under a policy of homeowner's insurance for damages

described in this section, if made in good faith and after reasonable investigation, is presumed

reasonable and necessary and must be reimbursed by the responsible local government unit.

Reimbursement may be denied only upon proof that the payment was obtained by fraud or

that the insurer acted in bad faith. If reimbursement is not made as required by this

subdivision, the insurer may bring an action to recover the amount paid and is entitled to

reasonable attorney fees, costs, and disbursements, including interest under section 60A.0811,

subdivision 2, paragraph (a).

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(c) If an insurer is reimbursed by a local government unit pursuant to this section, the

insurer must remit to the homeowner an amount equal to any deductible the homeowner

has paid toward the damage.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective January 1, 2027, and applies to

homeowner's insurance policies offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.

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