A group of Legislative Republicans has proposed a bipartisan bill to fix a recent change in law that is causing the removal of Student Resource Officers (SRO) from public schools. The proposed solution includes a request for the Governor to consider a special session to make necessary changes to the law.

“Every day, parents send their kids to school and expect that they will be safe—Student Resource Officers are an important part of that effort,” said Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake). “SROs are an integral part of ensuring safety and security for students and staff, and it’s incredibly important that we provide them with clarity and support as the start of the school year draws closer. I’ve been disappointed in the Governor’s response, essentially brushing aside the concerns of school and law enforcement professionals. I hope Gov. Walz will put pride and politics aside by calling a special session next week, in time for the start of school. This is something we should be able to find a bipartisan solution on.”

Republicans proposed bill language that simply repeals the recent law change eliminating prone restraints or physical holds and repeals the change to use of force standards to revert back the original language that was in statute. The change does not impact the 2021 bill that banned all neck and chokehold restraints and remains in place for students and all Minnesotans.  

So far, at least six police departments have announced they are removing SROs in the last two weeks, including Dilworth and Hitterdahl, Moorhead, Rockford, Redwood Falls, Andover, and Coon Rapids. In response to the issue, Republicans held a press conference on Wednesday, which included Blaine Police Chief Brian Podany and Centennial Schools Superintendent Jeff Holmberg who shared their concerns about how this change is impacting safety for students and staff as the school year begins.