HF3089 Summary

• Modifies bail requirements for domestic abuse offenses under Minnesota Statutes sections 299C.46, 609.224, 609.2242, and 609.377, setting maximum cash bail at six times the highest cash fine for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor violations.

• Creates new crime of "tampering with a witness in the third degree" effective August 1, 2010, with penalties for intimidating or influencing witnesses, preventing witness testimony, or influencing false reports to law enforcement.

• Establishes comprehensive domestic abuse no contact order law (recodified to section 629.75) with criminal penalties including misdemeanor charges for violations, gross misdemeanor charges for repeat violations within ten years, and felony charges with up to five years imprisonment if involving dangerous weapons or prior convictions.

• Authorizes warrantless arrest by peace officers for domestic abuse no contact order violations when probable cause exists, with mandatory 36-hour custody holding period excluding arrest day, Sundays, and holidays.

• Requires data communications network to include orders for protection and no contact orders, with each no contact order accompanied by defendant photograph for enforcement purposes when court-verified image is available.