SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee heard the Safety through Support Act. The bill, authored by Representative Leigh Finke (DFL-Saint Paul), expands visitation rights of incarcerated persons and establishes a diversity task force to approve licensed professionals to access incarcerated persons.
This bill directly supports incarcerated people in prison and will improve outcomes upon release by providing the human connection we all deserve.
“Denying connection within prison walls isn't just punishment, it's an erosion of humanity against Minnesotans,” said Rep. Finke. “Walls may confine bodies, but we cannot allow them to sever the vital human connections that nurture hope and fuel rehabilitation. We must work together to tear down these arbitrary barriers to visitation. Let families mend, relationships strengthen, and futures rebuild – because a humane society prioritizes connection, not isolation.”
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future committee bill.
Additional information and documents from the hearing are available on the committee webpage. Video of the hearing can be found on the House Info YouTube Page.
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