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Dear Neighbors,
Please join me and your other area legislators for a Maplewood Town Hall tomorrow, Thursday, March 7. We want to hear about your priorities this legislative session. We hope to see you tomorrow!
As your state representative, listening to my constituents is the most important part of my job. Please take a few minutes to fill out my 2024 survey. Your responses will help me more fully understand your viewpoints, concerns, and values. Click here to complete my survey. Thank you for making your voice heard!
On Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to provide a uniform system across the state for districts that decide to have a School Resource Officer (SRO) program. It provides clarity law enforcement agencies and school districts sought last fall regarding the use-of-force standard.
Significantly, the bill creates a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board model policy. The policy will have minimum standards for proper use of force, response tactics to minimize the use of prone restraints and other physical holds, the duty to render care, alternative procedures to de-escalate conflict, and considerations to build constructive police relationships with students, administrators, and educational staff. The bill requires the POST Board to develop the model policy with impacted Minnesotans including law enforcement, education experts, local units of government, community advocates, and organizations representing youth.
In the Human Services Policy Committee, which I chair, we heard bills to better meet the needs of the disabled by improving the use of technology. We also heard HF 3743, legislation that builds out the system to help folks dealing with the early stages of psychosis or bipolar disorder, and provides additional supports for adults with serious mental illness.
DFLers are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One initiative funds a one-time appropriation of $3 million to provide up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 each starting Fall 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.
March is Women’s History Month. Join me in celebrating the contributions women have made to our history, society, and culture!
It is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol. Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call (651) 296-5363 or email any time at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn.gov. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
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