Committee sends bill closing out‑of‑state abuse-investigation loophole to general register

The Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee voted to send House File 13‑67 to the general register, moving forward a proposal its author described as closing a gap that prevents investigations into alleged abuse of Minnesota children when the incident occurs while the child is temporarily out of state.

Representative Pinto, the bill’s author, told the committee the measure “closes a loophole…that prevents the investigation of abuse, or molestation that occurs to children who are Minnesota residents but occurs when they are temporarily out of state.” She said the change was brought to lawmakers by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association.

The committee chair moved to re‑refer the bill to the general register; committee members voiced their approval and the motion prevailed. No further amendments or debate were recorded in this committee hearing.

Why it matters: supporters said the bill resolves a procedural gap that could allow suspected crimes against Minnesota children to go uninvestigated when they occur across state lines. The committee did not take further action beyond the referral at this hearing.

Actions at the meeting: The committee moved and approved re-referral of House File 13‑67 to the general register by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: re‑referral to the general register sends the bill forward for additional floor or committee scheduling and does not itself change statutory text. The committee record shows no public testimony on this item at this session.