Minnesota House Bill HF435

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25

Caption

Commissioner of corrections required to house only biological female inmates at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee.

Summary

HF435 would amend Minnesota law governing the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee to require that the facility house only “biological females” committed to the commissioner of corrections. Under the bill, the Shakopee women’s prison could be used only for inmates who meet that definition and who, in the commissioner’s opinion, may benefit from the facility’s programs. The bill also directs that any inmates housed there who are not biological females on the effective date must be transferred to another facility within seven days. The measure would make a targeted change to Minnesota Statutes section 243.90, which establishes and governs the Shakopee correctional facility. It would impose a new statutory restriction on placement decisions at that prison and would require the Department of Corrections to review current housing assignments immediately upon enactment. The bill takes effect the day after final enactment, while the transfer requirement would expire on January 1, 2026.

Impact

HF435 would narrow the legal authority of the commissioner of corrections by statutorily limiting the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee to housing only biological female inmates. This would affect prison classification, housing, and transfer practices, and could require the Department of Corrections to move any non-biological-female inmates currently housed at Shakopee to other facilities within a week of enactment. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 243.90, and would directly affect the administration of the state’s women’s correctional facility.

Sentiment

The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy, but there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes included here. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a correctional-facility placement restriction centered on sex-based housing policy. Because no discussion or vote history is provided, there is no documented committee sentiment to summarize beyond the bill’s introduction and referral.

Contention

The central point of contention is the bill’s use of the term “biological females” to define who may be housed at the Shakopee facility. Supporters would likely view the bill as clarifying women’s prison placement and facility purpose, while opponents may argue it is discriminatory, raises classification and safety concerns for transgender inmates, or interferes with correctional discretion. The requirement to transfer any currently housed non-biological-female inmates within seven days is also likely to be controversial because of its immediate operational impact on the Department of Corrections.