HF4137 Summary

• Requires prosecutors to prove the defendant acted with intent to kill, injure, harass, or intimidate another person when charging harassment crimes under Minnesota Statutes section 609.749, subdivision 2, effective August 1, 2020.

• Expands the definition of "substantial emotional distress" in harassment statutes to include seeking psychotherapy, losing sleep or appetite, mental-health diagnosis, suicidal ideation, or difficulty concentrating on tasks resulting in lost productivity.

• Allows tenants to terminate residential leases without penalty if they fear imminent violence after being subjected to domestic abuse, criminal sexual conduct, or harassment, upon providing signed written notice to their landlord with a qualifying document.

• Adds intent requirement to telephone harassment and mail harassment statutes, requiring proof that the defendant intended to harass or intimidate when making repeated calls or mailing materials to place another in reasonable fear of bodily harm or substantial emotional distress.

• Repeals Minnesota Statutes section 609.749, subdivisions 1 and 1a, which previously allowed prosecution without proving specific intent to cause the victim to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated.