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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE PASSES BALANCED PUBLIC SAFETY BILL
On Friday, the House passed the Conference Committee report on the Omnibus Public Safety Policy and Finance Bill. This $2 billion legislation is a balanced approach to creating a more effective criminal justice system, while at the same time provides more support to crime victims and crime prevention initiatives. It appropriates $300 million for law enforcement public safety, $942 million for corrections and $500 million for state courts.
A sound justice system includes both an efficient court system and measures to make sure those who have served their time don't commit further crimes. This legislation addresses both of these aspects, first by significantly speeding up the state's court system by funding 10 new judge units, and through innovative reentry programs to reduce the number of repeat offenders.
The bill addresses crime problems in the Twin Cities suburbs by providing law enforcement grants to the effected areas, and fully funds the completion of the ARMER, the statewide 911 system for Greater Minnesota. The bill also provides property tax relief at the local level by increasing reimbursements to local and regional governments for housing short-term offenders.
Other highlights of the legislation include:
· Provides funding for COPS grants to hire new peace officers or provide peace officer overtime pay
· More protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence and stronger protections for children against Internet predators
· Increases funding to crime victim services to partially restore 2003 cuts
· Provides more tools to law enforcement to halt the significant increase in copper theft in Minnesota, which is a public safety hazard and generates huge losses to utility and construction companies
· Prohibits employer retaliation against victims of violent crime and their families for attending court proceedings
· Creates a felony for repeat violators for no-contact orders
· Increases funding for youth intervention programs
A provision in the bill that would require insurance companies to act in "good faith" when handling claims was removed and will instead be considered as a stand-alone bill. We heard compelling stories of individuals who waited many months for settlement on legitimate claims, as well as several who were never compensated. Many of these victims felt the insurance company deliberately delayed settlement in an attempt to reduce the settlement amount.
One of the specific proposals to be negotiated would change a person's recourse in this situation. Under current law, if a person is injured in a car accident, for example, and believes that the settlement being offered is not fair, their only choice is to bring litigation against the party who caused the accident. This proposal would allow them to bypass the other party and go directly to the insurance company for a fair settlement.
This proposal, among others, will be part of the negotiations by the House, Senate and the Governor's office. Forty-six other states have "good faith" laws; I am pleased the Governor will work with the House and Senate bill authors to consider consumer protection provisions.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this or any other issue - I can be reached by phone at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 487 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn. If you are interested in receiving my session e-newsletter, please email me and your name will be added to our list.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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