Legislators Announce Bipartisan Reforms to Minnesota’s DWI Policies
(ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn.) Together with workers, advocates, and family members of victims, Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz announced a bipartisan bill to reform Minnesota’s DWI policies in a press conference Friday at the Park Tavern, the site of last year’s deadly crash.
The proposal announced Friday makes changes in state law to address issues highlighted by last September’s tragic crash that resulted in the death of two people and injuries to nine others.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stronger laws to prevent repeat DWI offenders from driving while impaired,” said Rep, Kraft. “Since this tragedy, it has been a top priority of mine to try and stop people who have a recurring problem with drinking and driving from killing or injuring Minnesotans. This bipartisan legislation is focused on improving public safety and is a critical step toward prevention and safer roads for everyone.”
The legislation proposes changes to strengthen state law in response to last year’s crash. The driver of last year’s crash had received 5 previous DWI convictions and was found to be four times over the legal limit following the crash. Friday’s proposal significantly increases the amount of time people with multiple offenses are required to be on ignition interlock, doubles the lookback period for offenses, and removes obstacles for offenders to get on interlock in an effort to prevent future incidents like this from happening again.
“A tragedy like the one we saw last September should never happen again in any community in Minnesota. This bill takes meaningful action that will help keep recurring offenders from getting behind the wheel when they’re inebriated,” said Senator Latz. “This proposal will have an immediate, positive impact on our state, and I believe it will help save lives.”
“No community should have to go through what St. Louis Park experienced last summer at Park Tavern,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I'm grateful to Rep. Larry Kraft and Sen. Ron Latz for their work to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.”
"We appreciate the efforts of Rep. Kraft and Sen. Latz to introduce bipartisan legislation reforming Minnesota's DWI policies and to help make our communities safer," said St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed. "I look forward to supporting this legislation as it makes its way through the process."
??“We appreciate the work that has gone into this bill in hopes that others are spared the pain and grief caused by preventable tragedies such as the one that took place last September,” Jennifer Myster, president of Methodist Hospital, said. “Our hearts broke with the losses of Gabe and Kristina and injuries to others, including our Methodist Hospital colleagues."
The bill is expected to receive hearings in the coming week, with the House version, HF 2130, beginning in the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and the Senate version, SF 2068, beginning in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
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