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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Drew Christensen (R)

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Drew's News: Mental Health Crisis Center

Friday, March 9, 2018

Friends, 


On Wednesday, my bill to establish a regional crisis center in Savage was heard in the Capital Investment Committee. House File 3004 will issue bonds up to $1.4 million an amount that will be matched by Scott County for this project.

Our country, our state, and our communities are facing a mental health crisis. We need to make sure communities across the state have the resources to deal with this growing epidemic. This project is planned and ready to break ground. We should move forward, fund this facility, and make sure the residents of Savage and surrounding communities have access to this important resource.

The Scott County facility, to be built in Savage, will house sixteen beds for intensive residential and treatment services. The new facility will provide stabilization and treatment for persons with a primary or secondary mental health diagnosis in lieu of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. The facility will be a regional resource for patients for stays up to 90 days in length.

Savage Mayor Janet Williams was among those testifying in support of this facility with a heartfelt, personal family experience. You can watch her testimony in support of the bill here.

We need to take this issue seriously and I hope we are able to make this center a reality. I will continue to work to make sure the funding is included in the bonding bill and this worthwhile project moves forward.

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Legislation to protect High School Students

After hearing about incidents of teachers victimizing students and prosecutors being powerless to charge them with crimes, I knew we had to do something to protect students. Parents need to know when they send their children to school those kids are safe and closing this loophole will help to do just that. It is disturbing and wrong for high school teachers to be engaged in sexual relationships with students.

On Tuesday, my bill that will protect high school aged students from predatory sexual behavior from teachers or others in a position of authority was heard in committee. Under this bill, it extends to high school students ages 16-21 the protections afforded to other minors from adults who may abuse or take advantage of their position of authority.

A KARE 11 investigation revealed multiple cases across Minnesota, including in Burnsville, where county prosecutors were not able to prosecute teachers who had entered into sexual relations with students at their school because the student was 18.

As an educator myself, it was incredibly disturbing to see reports of these incidents. I believe teachers need to be held to a higher standard and I am determined to make sure there are consequences for those who abuse the power and trust our parents and schools have given them. We must look out for the safety of our students.

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Rep. Christensen speaking with parents of students with special needs at the Capitol

As always, please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling my office at (651) 296-9463 or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.


Have a great weekend!

Drew