MN HF3000

Exonerated individuals become eligible for preliminary monetary damages when a prosecutor indicates they will join the compensation petition before it is filed, allowing faster access to funds

Preliminary damages are set at $5,000 per year of incarceration and $2,500 per year served on supervised release or as a registered predatory offender, prorated for partial years

Creates an exoneration compensation account in the special revenue fund, administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety, to pay preliminary damages

Appropriates $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 to establish the account, with automatic transfers from the general fund to maintain the $250,000 balance after each payment

Preliminary payments are deducted from final damage awards; acceptance of preliminary damages does not require the written finality agreement that applies to full awards