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A group of new laws will go into effect Friday that were approved by the Legislature during the last two legislative sessions.
They deal with a range of issues from property ownership to background checks to privileged communications within restorative justice programs.
Here are a few of the changes that become law on Aug. 1:
More deterrents for repeat impaired drivers
After a drunk driver drove through the patio at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, Minn., killing two people and injuring 12, lawmakers approved a change to the state’s DWI laws.
The new law extends the lookback period for previous DWIs from 10 to 20 years. It increases the time a person must have an ignition interlock system, which does not allow a driver to start a car without a clean breathalyzer, in their vehicle. It also increases the license revocation period.
The driver in the Park Tavern crash was sentenced to 30 years in prison earlier this week.
Farmers, trash haulers can go a little faster
The Legislature increased the speed limit for vehicles carrying uncovered trash or debris, and so-called “implements of husbandry” — vehicles used for timber harvesting, or agricultural, horticultural or live-stock raising operations. These vehicles may now be driven up to 35 mph instead of 30.
Background checks OK’d for adult business applications
People who want to operate an adult entertainment establishment or provide massage services can now be subject to a criminal background check by the cities or counties where they would be located.
Service dog trainers get exemptions
If you train service dogs, you cannot be restricted from housing by home owner associations or apartment rules.
The new law says landlords must give people who are training a service dog “full and equal access to all housing accommodations.” That means they’d get the same rights while training a service dog as a person who uses a service dog to help with their day-to-day life.
Service dog trainers also can’t be charged extra for having a dog, though they can still be liable for any damage it might cause.
Eminent domain laws get more clarity
The “Minnesota Partition Act” updates the state’s property partition statute for the first time in 120 years.
The new law makes clear who can bring legal action regarding the sale of property held by two or more joint tenants. It says a partition of a property can still occur when there is a dispute over who owns shares of the property.
It outlines duties of referees assigned by the court for these matters, and says courts must accept a referee’s report in most circumstances.
The Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families will no longer have to pay court fees in certain cases
The ombudsperson serves American Indian communities in the state, resolving complaints from families regarding child welfare social service agencies, public education, housing and out-of-home placement of American Indian children.
Current law waives court fees for tribes and tribal representatives. The law will now extend to the ombudsperson’s office as well.
Restorative justice participants will get limited confidentiality
A new law extends privileged communications that take place within restorative justice programs. Those programs allow offenders to meet with victims and community members to discuss the impact of their offense.
The new law was passed in an effort to promote honest conversations within these programs without fear that the discussion could be used against the offender in criminal or civil court cases.
But the new law has exceptions and limitations, including statements that could prevent death, bodily harm or the commission of a crime, and it does not exempt mandatory reporters from complying.
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