MN HF3976

Establishes a task force on sentencing for aiding and abetting felony murder to collect and analyze data on charging, convicting, and sentencing practices and assess whether current laws promote public safety and equity.

Task force membership includes the commissioner of corrections, executive director of Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, attorney general, state public defender, Violent Crime Coordinating Council coordinator, one defense attorney, one county attorney, two victims' rights representatives, two criminal justice advocacy members, and one impacted person related to a felony murder convict.

Appointments must be completed by July 30, 2020, with the first meeting convened by August 1, 2020; members serve without compensation and the task force must meet at least monthly.

Task force must collect data on aiding and abetting felony murder charges, convictions, sentences, mitigated departures, and codefendant sentences; review relevant statutes and court decisions; and receive input from convicted individuals and victims' families.

Task force shall submit a report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over criminal sentencing by January 15, 2021, and expires the day after submission; bill becomes effective July 1, 2020.