ST. PAUL – A bill that will fund judiciary and public safety priorities over the next two years was approved on a bipartisan vote Monday in the Minnesota House by a margin of 94-37.
The proposal targets sex offenders by issuing stronger penalties and longer supervision for convicted sexual predators, dedicates funds for additional sex trafficking prevention grants, and increases penalties against those who possess and disseminate child pornography.
“The inclusion of my bill to close loopholes that allow sex offenders to escape serious punishment and subsequent tracking in the public safety bill was an important step toward getting justice and to prevent future victims," said Rep. Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook. "It’s time someone speaks for the victims and looks to prevent future victims. This bill will help to do just that and I am proud it passed.”
Grossell added, “I am also pleased that my bill to protect firefighters, nurses, and other medical personnel was included in the public safety bill that passed the House. As a law enforcement officer, I saw first responders and medical personnel placed in dangerous situations while simply doing their job. I am glad my bill to afford them the same protections under the law as police officers is part of the public safety bill passed.”
"With this legislation, not only will we better protect Minnesotans, but we are also giving needed support to those who put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety," said State Representative Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, chairman of the Minnesota House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee.
The bill allocates new money to local law enforcement agencies to help them pay for officers’ training costs, to help officers in dealing with suicidal and mentally disturbed people, and creates crisis intervention team training and training in implicit bias. The plan also improves our judicial system, and allows the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to replace an outdated predatory offender registry.
The legislation increases penalties against those who choose to participate in illegal protests that put people’s lives at risk, and provides new revenue to address domestic violence prevention and terrorism recruitment.
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