About DOC Rulemaking
The Minnesota Legislature delegates authority to state agencies to make administrative rules necessary to carry out the purpose of statutorily assigned duties. This process is known as rulemaking. Rulemaking is an important government function that allows state agencies to adopt, amend, or repeal rules. Both a rule and a statute have the force and effect of law.
Advisory committees
For some rules, DOC has formed advisory committees to help provide expertise and advice. For more information, please see our advisory committee page.
Rulemaking meetings
For past and current rulemaking meetings, events, webinars, and hearings, please see our rulemaking meetings page.
Please note: If you are looking for policies related to our state prisons, you can find these on our policy web page.
Contact Us
Tara Rathman
Rulemaking Manager
651-539-6215
tara.rathman@state.mn.us
1450 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
News and Announcements
2911 Rulemaking
The department plans to adopt the proposed rules following a public hearing scheduled for May 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM. You may submit formal comments on the rules between March 31 and April 30 through the Court of Administrative hearing's eComments Website.
Additional information about the proposed rules and the rulemaking process is available in the rule draft, SONAR, and published notice provide below. We have also included a copy of MMB's fiscal analysis for review ahead of the scheduled hearing. Hearing exhibits and public comments will be posted on the Rulemaking Meetings page as they become available.
- Rule draft (March 11, 2026)
- SONAR
- MMB Fiscal Analysis (exhibit K-1)
- Notice of Hearing
- In-Person Location:
- Department of Corrections, Afton Room (1st Floor, Use West Entrance)
1450 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108
- Department of Corrections, Afton Room (1st Floor, Use West Entrance)
- In-Person Location:
2940 Rulemaking
The department has adopted Rules repealing Chapter Rule 2940. They will be published in the State Register on Monday, April 6, 2026, and are effective five working days after publication. Please note, the Revisor's office updates the online version of the rules, but this can take some time
Rulemaking Docket
Under the Administrative Procedure Act, DOC must maintain a public rulemaking docket describing the status of DOC rulemaking activities in progress or under consideration.
- Inspection and Enforcement
- Hearings and Release
- Community Corrections
DOC manages nine rule chapters, which are overseen by three different units: (1) Inspection and Enforcement, (2) Hearings and Release, and (3) Community Corrections.
Rulemaking Reports
Under the Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies must annually submit two rulemaking reports to the legislature. The legislature and the public use these reports to make agencies accountable for their rulemaking initiatives and to track their progress toward maintaining up-to-date rules.
Obsolete rules
- This report is due December 1. DOC must report any rules that are obsolete, unnecessary, or duplicative of other state or federal statutes or rules.
- The current report was submitted December 1, 2025.
- Previous DOC reports can be found on the website of the Legislative Reference Library.
Rulemaking docket
- This report is due January 15. DOC must submit its annual rulemaking docket and the official rulemaking record for any rule adopted during the previous calendar year.
- The current report was submitted January 1, 2026.
- Previous DOC reports can be found on the website of the Legislative Reference Library.
Rulemaking Resources and Feedback
We welcome your participation in our rulemaking proceedings. Please help us improve our rules and website so we can transform lives for a safer Minnesota.
Rulemaking feedback
Do you have comments or concerns on any current DOC rule or suggestions for improving the rulemaking web page content? Please submit your comments below or email docrulemaking.DOC@state.mn.us.
Provide rule feedback Provide website feedback
Rulemaking resources
Rulemaking is complex, but there are resources to help you understand the rulemaking process and how to participate.
If you want to comment on a rule after it is formally published, you can go to the state’s eComments website. Or you can search old rulemaking proceedings through the Minnesota Rule Status System or the Office of Administrative Hearings’ Archives.
For frequently asked questions on the rulemaking process, see our FAQ page.
Administrative Procedure Act (Statute) Administrative Procedure Act (Rule)
eComments Site Minnesota Rule Status Search Rulemaking Archives