Legislative Update – March 22, 2024
Dear neighbors,
This week I was proud to speak at ARRM’s Disability Services Day at the Capitol Rally. Supporting our neighbors with disabilities and the people who work to improve their lives is so important. I am carrying many pieces of legislation that ensure our neighbors with disabilities can live with dignity and respect. You can watch my comments at the rally here.
One piece of legislation I’m authoring would support group homes and ensure that cities are not excluding them from our communities by misusing the rental licensing process. Our neighbors with disabilities, like all of us, deserve to live in a friendly neighborhood free from discrimination and scrutiny. You can read more in the Star Tribune.
Banning the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense
On Wednesday, the House Public Safety Committee passed my legislation that would ban the LGBTQ+ “panic” defense. According to the National LGBTQ+ Bar, the LGBTQ+ panic defense is a legal strategy where “defendants charged with violent crimes weaponize their victim’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression to reduce or evade criminal liability”. 17 other states have already banned this defense, and it’s time Minnesota joins them.
Our community is still grieving and healing from the horrific violence that ended the life of our trans/two-spirit relative, Savannah Ryan Williams and her family deserves justice. It is far past time to ban the LGBTQ+ panic defense, which allows criminals to exploit a temporary emotional state to excuse heinous acts. True justice demands accountability, and this bill sends a clear message of support for our LGBTQ2S+ neighbors.
Thank you so much to everyone who testified in support of this critical bill, and those who showed up in the committee room to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. You can read my full press release here.
Protecting Judges from Threats
As my legislation protecting judges from threats and intimidation continues to move through the committee process, I have been moved by the stories of judges who have received threats for simply doing their job. You can watch last week's story by KSTP here.
A survey of 300 judges across the state showed that 90% of those who responded said they received inappropriate communications because of their work and 72% said they had been threatened. I am proud to carry this legislation to protect our public servants.
EMT Training/Paramedic Scholarships
DFLers are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One of these initiatives that I supported funds a one-time appropriation of $3 million for up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 starting in the fall of 2024 to be awarded by June 30, 2026.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in this opportunity to serve the public and give back to the community, you can find eligibility information here.
Stay Connected!
Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.brion.curran@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4342, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe!
Sincerely,
Brion Curran
State Representative