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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Jenny Nash 651-296-4122
Press/News Releases
POPPE BILL ON CHILD RESTRAINT GIVEN HEARING IN HOUSE JUDICIARY POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Today, State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) presented legislation (House File 2220) to tighten Minnesota’s child abuse law and protect children. Testifying in support of the bill before the House Judiciary Policy and Finance Committee was Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi, Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen, and Mower County Sergeant Investigator Steve Sandvik.
House File 2220 changes only one word in current law but in doing so closes a loophole. It changes the phrase “substantial" bodily harm to “demonstrable” bodily harm in parental child restraint cases. The legislation is in response to the sentencing of Brian and Charity Miller of Dexter who were convicted of chaining their 5-year-old son to his crib from bedtime until morning every night over a six-month period and withholding food and bathroom access to him and his 8-year-old brother.
Because prosecutors could not demonstrate that the Millers’ caused “substantial” bodily harm to their sons the parents could only be charged with a gross misdemeanor not a felony.
“In my 28 years in law enforcement, I have never seen a case like this one and I hope to never see one again. I strongly support making this type of crime a felony as opposed to a gross misdemeanor,” stated Sheriff Terese Amazi.
“This bill is a result of the sheriff’s department, social services, the county attorney’s office, and the public who witnessed or were made aware of the case seeking greater penalties in these extreme cases,” stated Rep. Poppe.
House File 2220 was moved to the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee where another hearing will be held. The companion bill (SF 1725) is sponsored by Senator Dan Sparks and awaits a hearing in the Senate.
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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