ST. PAUL, MN — Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, joined House Republicans at a news conference Tuesday to unveil their 2022 public safety priorities. The package focused on three key areas; crime prevention and accountability for criminals; police recruitment and retention, and holding the criminal justice system accountable.
"It is clear that public safety is top of mind for Minnesotans as crime is on the rise in the Twin Cities and around the state," said Rep. Novotny. "As legislators, it is our responsibility to respond to the concerns of Minnesotans. That’s why we are committed to working with law enforcement and other local officials to keep our neighborhoods are safe. The package of proposals introduced today will hold criminals accountable, recruit and retain quality law enforcement officers, and make sure the criminal justice system is following the letter of the law when sentencing offenders.”
Rep. Novotny is the chief author of several bills included in the House Republican proposal including:
- $3 million crime prevention grant to Ramsey County Sheriff to coordinate violent crime prevention in the metro, including use of air patrol – House File 3327
- Creates a new criminal offense of “carjacking” with increasing penalties for the level of violence perpetrated during the commission of the crime– House File 3325
- Electronic home monitoring is required if no bail is set for defendants accused of crimes against a person – House File 3406
- Sentencing jury required for downward departures in murder cases and cases where the victim objects to a downward departure – House File 3407
- Required stronger sentences for repeat offenders: requires judges to impose an aggravated durational departure, consecutive sentences for multiple current violent crimes if two or more priors and offender must serve entire sentence in prison; no early release – House File 3326
- Catalytic Converter Database in Commerce Dept. – House File 3328
- $2.5 million education reimbursement grants for new peace officers who have been on the job at least one year – House File 3331
- $2.5 million set aside for reimbursement to peace officer education programs for use of force training – House File 3293
- County Attorneys required to file charges for felonies when there is probable cause – House File 3482
- Sentencing departures required to be posted on Sentencing Guidelines Commission website – House File 3330
- Law enforcement agencies are required to report carjackings to BCA, which must include them in its annual Uniform Crime Report –House File 3329
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