In the Aftermath of the Hortman Assassinations, Chemical Irritants Stalled Cleanup of Home
Attached is a letter from Colin Hortman to the legislature explaining his experience remediating his parents’ home.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Today, April 28, 2026, the Senate passed House File 3782 and House File 4133, authored by Senator Bonnie Westlin (DFL – Plymouth). Both bills came to the legislature from Colin Hortman, son of Melissa and Mark Hortman, following his experience remediating his parents’ house after the tragedy of June 14th, 2025. Colin Hortman was unable to complete the remediation of his parents’ home for eight months after June 14th, 2025, due to a lack of clarity from the city about which chemicals had been deployed and ongoing disagreements over the required level of remediation.
House File 3782 would require peace officers and law enforcement agencies to provide information about the use of any chemical irritant, smoke screen, or diversionary device deployed in a building.
House File 4133 would require homeowner’s insurance policies to include coverage for damage done to property from a peace officer’s use of chemical irritants, smoke screens, or diversionary devices, when the damage occurs while the peace officer is executing a search warrant or apprehending a criminal.
“The experience of Hortman family in the aftermath of such a tragedy simply added unnecessarily to their grief,” said. Sen. Westlin. “In such moments, the last thing families need is to spend their time trying to figure out what chemicals were used in their home and who should pay for the cleanup. This legislation makes life a little easier for families in their moments of crisis.
“Our aim is to have clear notice requirements for buildings where chemical irritants, smoke screens, or diversionary devices have been deployed, so homeowners know what needs to be cleaned up. Further, we are making sure that homeowner’s insurance covers the cost of that cleanup, which can require very specific testing, cleaning materials, and services.
“I want to thank Colin Hortman for taking his experience and turning it into positive change for other Minnesotans.”
House File 3782 passed the Senate on a vote of 58-7, and House File 4133 passed the Senate on a vote of 54-11. The bills now head to the Governor’s desk for signature. You can view the entire floor debate here.
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Learn more about Sen. Westlin.
