New laws taking effect in Minnesota on Aug 1st

By Twincitieslocalnews staff

Impersonating a peace officer: Penalties increase going forward for any person convicted of impersonating a peace officer. The crime has now been elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, with a max penalty of two years imprisonment if an offender does so intending to mislead another person, but taking no further action.

The new law also states peace officers must identify their employer and provide identifying information like their name and ID number when stopping, detaining or arresting someone.

The severity of the punishment increases from there, pending several potential aggravating factors.

Extortion with private sexual images: Paying someone to threaten to share private sexual images will now face up to 10 years in prison if deemed a contributing factor in the victim suffering great bodily harm. The penalty increases to 15 years if deemed a contributing factor in a person's death.

Firearms in domestic violence cases: The new law requires people who have been ordered to surrender their guns to complete firearm transfers "as soon as reasonably practical" to their local law enforcement agency, a federally licensed firearms dealer or a third party who does not live with the target of the crime. Proof of the transfer must also be filed with the court.

Use of chemical irritants in a building: Peace officers must now provide notice and disclosure to building owners and occupants when chemical irritants are deployed. Irritants include smoke screens, pepper spray, tear gas and flash bangs.

Grooming a minor: The penalty for grooming a minor will now be a felony offense.The law defines grooming as when a person 18 years of age or older expresses the desire or intent to engage in sexual conduct with a child; and engages in a deliberate pattern of conduct to methodically develop a false trusting relationship with the child that is intended to strategically manipulate the child to engage in sexual conduct with the person at a future time, regardless of whether any sexual conduct occurs.