Committee curbs penalties and narrows language in bill aimed at keeping minors off eviction filings

The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee advanced Senate File 4145 after intensive debate and multiple amendments aimed at preventing minor children from being named as defendants in eviction cases while avoiding conflicts with existing statutes.

Senator Clark described the bill's purpose as protecting minors who can appear on eviction filings or lease paperwork despite lacking legal capacity to be leaseholders. "Tenants who are renting for the first time on their own should be given every opportunity to be successful renters regardless of the choices made by their parents," he said.

Michael Dahl of HomeLine testified in favor, describing financial and long-term harms to young adults whose juvenile involvement in eviction records can affect future rental applications and credit; he said costs to remedy the record often exceed $300. Cecil Smith of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association supported the intent but warned that a provision forbidding landlords from listing minors on leases conflicted with Minn. Stat. § 504B (which requires occupants be listed for utility apportionment) and that treble damages would be disproportionate for clerical errors.

After lengthy negotiation the committee adopted several changes: removal of the provision that would have prohibited listing a minor on a residential lease (to avoid conflict with existing statute); an effective-date amendment to make the section apply to eviction actions filed on or after Aug. 1, 2026; and changes to remedies removing the word "treble," setting statutory minimum damages to $300 (and removing a standalone attorney-fee award). A later proposal to limit liability to only "knowing" violations did not prevail.

Senator Clark moved SF 4145 as amended to be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Homelessness; the motion passed by voice vote.