St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to provide a uniform system across the state for districts that decide to have a School Resource Officer (SRO) program with bipartisan support. The bill, HF 3489, would provide the clarity law enforcement agencies and school districts sought last fall regarding the use-of-force standard.
State Representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud) voted in favor of the legislation. Last fall, Rep. Wolgamott led a group of legislators in a meeting with Governor Walz to encourage action on the issue.
“Today’s bill provides the clarity our School Resource Officers need to continue their vitally important work of keeping schools safe,” said Rep. Wolgamott. “SROs enhance public safety in our schools by building positive and trusting relationships with students and staff, and we owe them our full support and gratitude.”
The bill clarifies the law regarding the use of force in schools and retains the limitation on the use of chokeholds that applies to all peace officers in Minnesota Statute 609.06. It creates a statutory definition for School Resource Officers and requires a statewide standard of the basic training required for SROs. To minimize harmful, disparate engagements between SROs and students, the legislation also expressly prohibits SROs from being used to deliver discipline for violation of school policies.
Significantly, the bill creates a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board model policy, codifying minimum standards that must exist if districts choose to contract with SROs. The policy will have minimum standards for proper use of force, response tactics to minimize the use of prone restraints and other physical holds, the duty to render care, alternative procedures to de-escalate conflict, and considerations to build constructive police relationships with students, administrators, and educational staff. The bill requires the POST Board to develop the model policy with impacted Minnesotans including law enforcement, education experts, local units of government, community advocates, and organizations representing youth.
Video of today’s floor debate can be found on the House Public Information YouTube Channel.
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