New Minnesota Laws to take effect as of July 1, 2025
Several new Minnesota Laws go into effect as of July 1, 2025. These policies stretch from new motorcycle laws to new regulations surrounding content creation and minors.
Motorcycle Maneuvers Now Permitted
Starting July 1st, Minnesota will join five other states in allowing motorcyclists to use different maneuvering techniques to get through traffic.
Motorcyclists will be allowed to “lane split” which allows motorcyclists to travel between vehicles going 25 mph or slower, but when lane splitting, motorcyclists may only go up to 15 mph faster than the speed of traffic.
Motorcyclists are now also allowed to “lane filter”, lane filtering allows motorcycles to move slowly between different lanes of traffic when traffic is stopped, but they also may only go 15 mph over the speed of traffic.
It is important to note that lane splitting or filtering is not allowed in roundabouts, even when entering or exiting them. These maneuvers also are not allowed in marked school zones, on freeway entrances or exits, or when there is single lane traffic going the same direction (including work zones). With Fourth of July travel looming, it is essential to understand the latest traffic laws to ensure a safe ride for all motorists.
New Content Creation Regulations
Under Minn. Stat. §181A.13, Minnesota has now regulated content creation regarding minors 14 years and younger. Following Utah and California’s recent laws regulating minors being used for internet-based income, Minnesota now probits minors 14 years and younger from making income-generating content on the internet. Also, adults who feature a minor in more than 30% of their content will need to pay the minor deposit earnings in a trust account. Minnesota law specifies that minors under 14 may not work in content creation, but if they do, they are entitled to 100% of the income.
Minors 14 through 18 who appear in online content must be paid through a trust account that is accessible to them upon their 18th birthday, or upon their emancipation. Minors 13 and up now have the right to review all records relating to the use of their name, likeness, and image, online. They also have the right to request that their information and content be removed from the internet.
Miscellaneous Public Safety Changes
Minnesota has also introduced or modified several laws regarding the facilitation of public safety including:
- An increased statute of limitations for first degree arson from the previous five years, to now ten.
- County attorneys are now allowed to use administrative subpoenas in wage theft investigations.
- It is now a crime to knowingly cause or allow a child to inhale, be exposed to, have contact with, or ingest fentanyl.
- Anyone 21 years or younger require a permit to operate a watercraft.
- Increased penalties for assaulting a firefighter.
North Star Law Group Can Help
When existing laws are modified or new laws are introduced that change the landscape of the Criminal Justice System, it can be tough to navigate. At North Star Law Group, our experienced criminal defense attorneys stay up to date on the ever-changing system and possess the skillset to effectively address new laws and regulations, providing the best defense for our clients.
