Prioritizing Justice and Reform

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this update finds you well and healthy. I know it has been quite a difficult time for all of us, but we can only get through this together. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation and the outpouring of community support. We are expected to return to a special session in about a week. Due to the recent turn of events, here is a quick update. 

Working With the POCI Caucus to Answer the Cries of George Floyd

The events over the last week have made clear the need to hold our police accountable to our communities. I am committed to pursuing a more just Minnesota. The People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus has proposed a slew of policies that centers on:

• Reform the investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions
  • Move primary investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths to the Attorney General’s Office 
  • Modify use-of-force laws to prevent wrongful deaths
  • Create a new crime for unjustified use of force that results in death or great bodily harm
  • Strengthen independence of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and design an alternative independent body to their jurisdiction
  • Conduct a review of Medical Examiners to ensure independence and timely action
  • Change civil liability statute of limitations for families of individuals killed by police

• Increase police accountability and transparency
  • Collect and centralize for public access, real-time data on deadly-force encounters
  • Establish law enforcement-citizen oversight councils to provide needed community involvement in policing 
  • Establish a Critical Incident Review process for officer-involved deaths to inform policy change and prevention 

• Raise standards of conduct and support officer excellence
  • Change the laws governing agreements that impede discipline of officers seriously betraying the public trust 
  • Reform the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board to increase oversight of officer licensure and training 
  • Expand the POST Licensing Board with more public membership and racial diversity
  • Create a legal duty for officers to intervene in the wrongful use of force by fellow officers.
  • Create a POST Board Community Policing Rulemaking Council
  • Expand training in de-escalation, mental health crisis intervention, and responding to people with disabilities 
  • Prohibit use of “Bullet-Proof Warrior” style use of force training
  • Offer peer-to-peer counseling for peace officers and establish privacy-protections for officers in counseling

• Partner officers with the communities they serve
  • Create powerful incentives for officers to live in the communities they serve by lifting the state ban on local-residence requirements 
  • Provide new resources to increase diversity in police forces

• Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety
  • Provide state funding for programs for community-based intervenors and problem-solvers that can partner with local peace officers. 
  • Increase investment in community-based mental health and trauma-informed services  
  • Direct POST board to develop model policy on use of force in responding to peaceful protests

I joined my colleagues as we announced these critical legislative proposals.

Insurance Claim Advice From Minnesota Department of Commerce

You or someone you know may have a business or home that was damaged during the tumultuous events of the past week. If you are wondering what steps you need to take to file an insurance claim I encourage you to utilize these fact sheets put together by the Minnesota Department of Commerce:

• Residential Claims
• Business Claims
• Residential Claims, Hmong Translation
• Business Claims, Hmong Translation

SD40 Virtual Town Hall Tomorrow

Join Rep. Nelson, Sen. Eaton, and me on Facebook as we discuss the end of session, what remains at the Legislature, changes to the COVID-19 rules, and the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd. You can watch on my Facebook page.

COVID-19 Information

Yesterday, the governor signed executive order 20-70 authorizing the use of state right of way for outdoor dining during the COVID-19 emergency. As we continue to open up our economy we will need to take creative action to help businesses as much as possible. By easing these restrictions, we can provide restaurants with additional space to achieve social distancing goals while being outdoors and protect the public health. Continue to visit the Minnesota COVID-19 website for all COVID-19 related information.

Stay in Touch

Thank you for giving me the honor to represent you in the 2019-2020 session! Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I am best reached through email at rep.samantha.vang@house.mn or please contact my legislative assistant Chris, christopher.storey@house.mn. I always appreciate hearing from you. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page here. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Samantha Vang
651-296-3709
rep.samantha.vang@house.mn