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State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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REP. WARD LEGISLATION WILL HELP SAVE LIVES
ST. PAUL, MN – Legislation introduced by State Rep. John Ward (DFL-Brainerd) will help save lives by putting defibrillators in hundreds of police vehicles throughout the state.
Ward's proposal was included in the Public Safety Policy and Finance Bill that was passed today by a vote of 124-6. Included in the bill is $100 thousand to be used to purchase automatic external defibrillators for law enforcement vehicles across the state. Defibrillators are used to deliver a therapeutic dose of electrical current to the heart of a patient who is experiencing an abnormal heart rate. It has been used very successfully by law enforcement to save lives.
Ward said that he introduced this bill as the result of seeing his Dad's life saved by quick use of a defibrillator.
"The first three minutes after a person has a heart attack are the most critical, and law enforcement are often the first ones to get there" said Ward. "I have no doubt my Dad would not be here today if a defibrillator had not been readily available."
The $2 billion Public Safety Bill appropriated $300 million for law enforcement public safety, $942 million for corrections and $500 million for state courts. Some of the key components included:
· Funding for 10 new judge units
· Innovative reentry programs to reduce the number of repeat offenders
· Full funding for the completion of the ARMER, the statewide 911 system for Greater Minnesota
· Increased reimbursements to local and regional governments for housing short-term offenders
· 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
· Prohibits employer retaliation against victims of violent crime and their families for attending court proceedings
If you have questions about this legislation, you can contact Rep. Ward at (651) 296- 4333, or 1-800-683-4205, by mail at 533 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.john.ward@house.mn.
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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