St. Paul – The Minnesota Senate passed with broad bipartisan support the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill today, a $2.385 billion bill that funds the Department of Corrections, the Judicial branch, and criminal divisions of the Department of Public Safety. This budget increases spending by $38.26 million.

Responding to attacks over the last year that have resulted in injury and even death of corrections officers, the bill includes $9.5 million in new funding for corrections officers and security upgrades at state prisons and correctional facilities. 

The budget allocates $300,000 to make additional security updates available for religious nonprofits and organizations at risk of being targeted by violent extremism. Increased health care costs for all agency and board employees are covered in the bill with a $19.9 million appropriation.

This budget also provides funding to toughen penalties for sex offenders:

• The bill includes increased sentencing for those who produce or sell child pornography. This will particularly affect repeat offenders or anyone who exploits a minor under the age of 13.
• The bill enhances penalties and requires predatory offender registration for surreptitious intrusion if a person records a minor with sexual intent.
• To further protect children from exploitation, a 120-day cooling off period is included so that teachers and coaches may not enter a relationship with a recent student old enough to consent but not yet 18.
• Additional funding supports the repeal of the marital rape defense. This antiquated law limited individuals from prosecuting their spouse for sexual assault.
• New language clarifies that despite consent, a police officer may not engage in sexual conduct of any kind with anyone in their custody.
  
  

“Keeping Minnesotans safe is the most important function of state government – that’s why this bill is focused on funding corrections officers, public safety employees, and all those who deserve protection from violence and injustice,” said Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. “This budget is concentrated on the security of our citizens.”

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