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Amanda Tinsley
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Amanda.Tinsley@house.mn.gov
News Release
House GOP Unveils Priority “Make Minnesota Safe” Plan
St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota House Republican Caucus unveiled a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at making Minnesota safer for all residents. This plan includes thirteen targeted provisions designed to equip law enforcement with the tools they need, ensure violent offenders are held accountable, and increase transparency in the criminal justice system.
“For the past two years, the Democrat Trifecta has prioritized soft-on-crime policies that have tied the hands of law enforcement, emboldened criminals, and made our communities less safe,” said Public Safety Committee Chairman Paul Novotny, R-Elk River. “House Republicans are committed to putting victims and their families first, empowering law enforcement with the resources they need, and restoring accountability in our criminal justice system.”
Key provisions in the proposal include:
- Mandatory minimum 10-year sentences for predators engaged in first-degree sex trafficking.
- Predatory offender registration required for offenders engaged in criminal sexual conduct who receive a stayed sentence from the courts.
- New and enhanced criminal offenses including blocking a freeway, highway, transit, or the road to and from the airport.
- Increased penalty for fleeing a police officer in a reckless manner.
- Increased penalties for individuals who conspire to trespass on or damage critical infrastructure such as pipelines, utility lines, and water lines.
- Increased penalties for assaulting a peace officer from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.
- Providing better access to the public on prosecutors’ charging and dismissal decisions, and court sentencing departures.
In addition to new tools for law enforcement and increased penalties for criminal conduct, the bill provides additional transparency to the practices of some criminal justice organizations that far too often provide a revolving door that puts criminals back onto the street without any public scrutiny.
“House Republicans are committed to ensuring that violent criminals are held accountable for their actions and fulfill their obligations to society before reentering the community,” said Public Safety Committee Vice Chair Jeff Witte, R-Lakeville. “Our proposal will increase transparency in the criminal justice system, helping Minnesotans gain a clearer understanding of how it operates, where improvements are needed, and how justice can be more effectively served.”
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