SAINT PAUL, Minnesota — Tonight, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020. The racial justice and police accountability legislation – authored by members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus – is aimed at reimagining and reforming public safety in the state.
“Every single Minnesotan, without exception, deserves to be treated equitably, with respect and fairness. As our Duluth community remembers the horrific lynchings which occurred 100 years ago this week, George Floyd’s killing – and the lives of other people of color taken at the hands of law enforcement – reminds us how much more work we have left to do,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth). “The world’s eyes are on our state, and it’s critical that we lift up voices of the very people who, for generations, have experienced pain and trauma as a result of structural racism.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the POCI Caucus for leading the way and putting forth the meaningful changes in this bill. This legislation will strengthen accountability and oversight to help bring us one step closer to true equity, fairness, and justice,” said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), the House Majority Whip. “This is a powerful time in our state’s history. Everyone – no matter what they look like or the community in which they live – deserves true public safety. Breaking down the structural racism that has prevailed for generations won’t happen overnight, but this legislation will help transform public safety in our state to be more community-focused and help deliver accountability when Minnesotans experience injustice.”
The series of criminal justice and police accountability reforms were introduced following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police Officer this Memorial Day.
The legislation includes the following:
Reclaiming Community Oversight
Putting power into the hands of the people and neighborhoods that police officers are sworn to serve and protect.
- Retroactive Repeal of Statutes of Limitations (Vang)
- Warrior Training Prohibited (Richardson)
- Choke Hold Ban (Moran)
- Duty to Intercede (Becker-Finn)
- Police Residency Reform (Hassan)
- Data Collection and Regulatory Reform/etc. (Mariani)
- Arbitration Reform (Her)
- Law Enforcement Oversight Council Reform (Gomez)
The Reforming Accountability Act
Restoring confidence and trust in the systems that are meant to provide justice for all Minnesotans.
- Use of Force Reform (Moran)
- Prosecutorial Reform (Becker-Finn)
- Investigatory Reform (Mariani)
- Cash Bail Reform (Noor)
The Re-Imagining Public Safety Act
Ending the unacceptable culture that is responsible for the murder of George Floyd and far too many others who look like him.
- Public Safety Peer Counseling Debriefing (Noor)
- Police Officer Critical Incident Review (Kunesh-Podein)
- Community Led Public Safety (Gomez)
- Mental Health Training (Richardson)
- Autism Training (Richardson)
- Restore the Vote (Moran)