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MN HF3105
Bill
Status
3/17/2014
Primary Sponsor
Steve Simon
Click for details
AI Summary
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Amends Minnesota Statutes section 554.01 to expand the definition of "government" to explicitly include law enforcement agencies and other public authorities in civil action contexts.
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Modifies section 604A.34 to allow courts to award punitive damages to individuals who prevail in civil actions when the suit was brought for harassment, financial distress, or interference with legal rights.
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Clarifies that individuals seeking assistance from or reporting unlawful conduct to law enforcement in good faith receive immunity from civil liability and are entitled to actual damages plus reasonable attorney fees and costs.
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Establishes that individuals' actions are presumed to be in good faith if they constitute "public participation" as defined in statute section 554.01, subdivision 6.
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Effective August 1, 2014, applying to civil actions commenced on or after that date.
Legislative Description
Punitive damages right provided for an individual reporting or seeking assistance from law enforcement, and government definition clarified for civil action purposes.
Last Action
Introduction and first reading, referred to Civil Law
3/17/2014