Crime Victims' Rights Week
The Governor has proclaimed this week Crime Victims' Rights Week, recognizing that "supporting the victims of crime is crucial to the U.S. justice system to honor the experiences of victims and supporting them in finding autonomy and empowerment", and that "victims deserve access to the justice, assistance, and support they need to rebuild their lives".
I am proud to be the author of a bill supporting the rights of rape victims to have their kit tested if they so choose, and giving law enforcement agencies the tools and guidelines they need to store and process those kits. My bill would test all unrestricted kits (kits where the victim has given permission for the kit to be tested), so cases can be easily linked together to catch serial rapists. It would also include central storage at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for all restricted kits (kits without permission for testing) for safekeeping, assuring they won't be destroyed before 30 months have passed. It also creates a tracking system for all kits so a victim can log in and find out where her kit is.
Denying justice to any victim of crime is absolutely unacceptable. Now more than ever, I remain committed to fighting for justice for victims of violent crime.
Legislative Update
On Tuesday, April 14, the legislature met to pass HF 4556, which extended deadlines for farmer/lender mediation, expanded telemedicine, and ensured that Minnesotans will continue to be covered as they normally would be if they receive care at an alternate treatment site. It also included changes to allow Minnesotans to apply for a marriage license remotely, ensures public officials can participate in remote meetings or hearings (similar to current law for military members), and eases certain deadlines in response to COVID-19.
Additionally, it ensured Commercial Drivers Licenses and out-of-state licenses will continue to be valid while in-person appointments are restricted, and also implemented a number of provisions from the federal CARES Act.
While I supported many things in this bill, I also had some major concerns about it. The bill spends money we don't have, since our projected budget surplus is likely gone and then some, due to the major disruption that the pandemic has caused. It also relinquished too much Legislative authority to the Commissioner of Health, which I believe will result in an imbalance of power.
Last Friday, April 17, the House met in session to pass a bill that will help our local restaurants continue serving customers and supporting their employees. SF 4489 allows restaurants that have a current liquor license and are still serving customers to sell wine, beer, hard seltzer, or cider with take-out orders of food. This bill is a good small step forward for our restaurants and will help support the jobs they continue to provide in our community. I think that much bigger steps need to be taken to get our economy going, however.
Together, we can move forward safely. As we continue to social distance, more businesses can be allowed to open using methods we have all experienced in our trips to grocery stores, the gas station, the pharmacy or the local hardware store. Our goal should be to lower our overall exposure to the virus and boost our individual immune systems. We can do this.
Latest Action from the Governor
Governor Walz announced last Thursday that Minnesota has joined several other midwestern states in a partnership to facilitate reopening the regional economy. He has said he will coordinate with the governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky to get people back to work.
There are still very few details available as to how exactly this partnership will work and what the criteria are for reopening the economy. As the partnership progresses, I hope the governors will take into account the voices of the people in the affected industries and get people back to work as quickly as is safe.
Governor Walz announced a new executive order Friday expanding outdoor recreation activities including golf, boating, fishing, and opening of state trails, and allowing for the opening of bait shops, shooting ranges, marinas and more. The text of the executive order can be found here.
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