Greetings Senate District 8

Police Protection

On Thursday, we introduce Police Protection legislation. One bill, SF 3292 would increase the penalty for assaulting a police officer and the second bill SF 3794 would prevent police disarmament by local agencies. The legislation is in part a response to calls from local politicians proposing to disarm police.

I’m shocked we’re even having this discussion. Disarming the police sends a signal to criminals that the rule of law will not be enforced. We already have a shortage of qualified police officers; who will volunteer to defend our citizenry from dangerous, armed criminals without a reasonable means to defend their own lives? Without a gun, how would the school resource officer have stopped the deranged shooter at Great Mills High School in Maryland this week? Many students would have died without his heroic actions.

More details on the bills below:

• SF 3292 would change a physical assault against a peace officer from a gross misdemeanor to a felony. It will carry a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine up to $4,000, or both.
• SF 3794 would prevent a mayor, city council, county board, or chief law enforcement officer from disarming a peace officer who is in good standing and not currently under investigation or subject to disciplinary action.

MNLARS Reform

On Thursday we passed a bipartisan compromise bill that will add strict oversight and accountability, as well as additional funding, to fix the failed licensing and vehicle registration system know as MNLARS. The legislation appropriates $9.65 million from existing funds for driver and vehicle services for immediate I.T. related expenses. The bill also includes strict oversight measures, including a quarterly report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and a mechanism for the legislature to shut off all funding if development benchmarks are not met.

The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Minnesota IT Services (MN.IT) officials to submit a proposed timeline, including quarterly benchmarks, for a fully-functional program to the MNLARS Steering Committee by May 15. As the software is developed, the committee must approve any additional quarterly appropriation, provided the quarterly benchmarks are being met.

Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act

Last week, Senate Republicans announced a new proposal to prevent elder abuse in long-term care facilities and repair the broken state reporting system that failed thousands of families by leaving serious cases of abuse uninvestigated. The Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act is the final product of hundreds of conversations with Minnesotans across the state who experienced abuse, family members of vulnerable adults, and care providers.

The bill includes increased oversight and accountability of the Office of Health Facility Complaints, stricter abuse prevention measures, a new streamlined and transparent complaint processes, and additional protections for consumers against misleading marketing practices.

Even once these reforms are adopted the legislature will continue to search for additional measures to protect Minnesota’s aging population. The bill also establishes the Assisted Living Licensure and Dementia Care Certification Task Force, the Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults Task Force, and the Assisted Living Report Card Working Group who will continue to investigate the elderly abuse crisis until Minnesota seniors are safe.