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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
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REP. POPPE LEGISLATION ON PARENTAL CHILD RESTRAINT SIGNED INTO LAW
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) was on hand for a very important bill signing in the Governor’s Reception Room at the State Capitol. Governor Dayton signed into law, Senate File 1586, which strengthens penalties for vulnerable adult neglect and contains a provision authored by Rep. Jeanne Poppe to create a new category of felony when "demonstrable" bodily harm is apparent in child restraint cases.
Rep. Poppe’s legislation was 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 instead of a felony. The provision in the new law allows for felony sentencing with a penalty of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
Joining Representative Poppe and Senator Sparks at the bill signing were Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi, Sergeant Investigator Steve Sandvik and Gayle Loverink, Mower County social worker. During the legislative session, they testified before two House Committees.
“The journey of this bill started with a little boy telling his story, public servants who listened and did their jobs, and the good sense and the sense of good for lawmakers and Governor Dayton to make sure if this ever happens again there will be stronger penalties. On behalf of that little boy, his brother and the public servants who witnessed the aftermath of this abuse, we are appreciative of the opportunity to take part in this bill signing today,” stated Rep. Poppe.
To hear Rep. Poppe's comments from the bill signing go the the following website:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/audio.asp?memid=12276&party=1
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Wrap Up - (Posted: May 22 2013 2:49PM)
- Rep. Poppe: New Funding for Education Builds Well-Educated, Competitive Workforce - (Posted: May 22 2013 2:23PM)
- Rep. Poppe Praises 2013 Session for Focus on Education, Jobs, and Property Tax Relief - (Posted: May 21 2013 12:32AM)
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