S.F. No. 36 - Never Again Bill Summary

• Prohibits the governor or state director from suspending citizens' rights during emergencies, including free speech, religious practice, assembly, bearing arms, travel, and lawful business operation.

• Limits peacetime emergency declarations to 5 days without joint legislative approval to extend up to 30 days, and requires legislative passage within 5 days for governor's orders and rules to have force of law.

• Establishes civil liability for persons exercising protected rights during emergencies who cause harm to innocent parties, with a 2-year statute of limitations and potential recovery of attorney fees and expert costs.

• Defines "public health emergency" narrowly to include only bioterrorism or new/novel airborne infectious agents posing high probability of large-scale deaths, serious disabilities, or widespread toxic exposure.

• Repeals existing penalties for violating emergency management provisions (Minnesota Statutes section 12.45).