SAINT PAUL, Minnesota — Early Friday morning, 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. State Representative Jeff Brand (DFL - St. Peter) voted in favor of the legislation.
“There are a lot of eyes on Minnesota right now as we look to build a more just and tolerant state, and it’s my belief that we can respond by being a leader in racial justice and accountability in our public safety systems,” said Rep. Brand. “As we continue to mourn George Floyd, it is our moral duty to ensure the same tragedy does not occur again in Minnesota. Half measures and band-aids are not an acceptable response when it comes to building a state that is welcoming and protective of everyone. The measures I supported today, authored by my POCI Caucus colleagues, are the serious, meaningful changes Minnesotans deserve."
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)
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