Senate committee opens debate on bill to eliminate juvenile fines and fees
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Summary
Sen. Umu Verbaten told the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee that SF 4951 would strike statutory language imposing fines and fees on juveniles, citing low collection rates and disproportionate impacts on low‑income families; youth testifiers described practical harms to housing, licensing and employment.
Sen. Umu Verbaten introduced Senate File 4951 to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee as a measure to remove statutory fines and fees imposed on juveniles. “The bill that we have before us really just takes any language in law that we have, you know, fines and fees and strikes that,” she said, framing the proposal as eliminating assessments that often do not further rehabilitation but instead create lasting burdens for families.
The author told members that collection rates are low statewide and vary by county. She said counties do not typically recover enough in juvenile fines and fees to fund a single full‑time position and cited a 56% statewide collection figure between 2022 and 2024 and a 26% rate in Hennepin County for a narrow set of assessments. “Most often they’re unable to actually be collected because the youth and the families cannot afford to pay them,” she said.
Young people who testified described how fees assessed during adolescence followed them into adulthood. Ariana Claire said fees first imposed when she was a teenager left her juggling childcare, school and work. “These fees are stopping me from driving,” she told the committee, saying she received multiple collection calls and could not afford to pay obligations she did not understand. Shammy Robinson said she continues to deal with “almost over $1,000 in fees,” which affected credit, housing and the ability to obtain a driver’s license.
Christy Snyder of Youthprise testified in support, arguing fines and fees can create long‑term barriers to stability and urging members to keep sections on health‑care cost recovery carefully drafted so counties can work with families without creating new burdens. “Fines and fees are setting up young people for failure,” she said.
Members pressed the bill’s author on accountability and the bill’s scope. Sen. Holmstrom raised victims’ interests and warned that removing financial penalties could be perceived as reducing consequences for wrongdoing. The chair and counsel clarified several points: restitution to a victim would remain available, and counsel said the bill would apply to delinquency matters, including extended juvenile jurisdiction (EJJ) cases where the juvenile portion of a blended sentence is involved; juveniles certified as adults would not be covered.
Other senators raised drafting concerns. Sen. Croon noted that striking broad language might inadvertently eliminate fines applied to adults in specific provisions (for example, seat‑belt penalties tied to a juvenile passenger or underage drinking provisions that reach 18–20‑year‑olds), and the author acknowledged the bill will need additional drafting work.
No final action was taken; Chair Westland laid SF 4951 over for further stakeholder drafting and clarification.
