S.F. No. 4217 Summary

• Prohibits intimidation of election officials through direct or indirect use of force, coercion, violence, restraint, damage, harm, or loss, including employment or economic reprisal.

• Prohibits intentional interference with election officials' performance of election administration duties, obstructing their access to polling places, ballot storage areas, or canvassing board meetings.

• Prohibits knowingly disseminating personal information about election officials or their family members online or publicly if it poses imminent and serious safety threats.

• Establishes violations as gross misdemeanors with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, with the attorney general authorized to investigate and bring enforcement actions and recover damages, investigation costs, and attorney fees.

• Makes the attorney general responsible for investigating violations under Minnesota Statutes section 8.31 and exempts violations from the standard administrative complaint process, making enforcement actions effective July 1, 2022.