ST. PAUL – A bill (Senate File 878) that will fund judiciary and public safety priorities over the next two years passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Minnesota House Tuesday by a vote of 115 to 19.
"It’s a core function of government to keep its citizens safe, and this bill does exactly that,” said State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center), who chairs the Minnesota House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee.
Cornish said the plan funds public safety at nearly $2.1 billion over the next budget cycle, which includes the budgets of the Department of Corrections, six of the 11 divisions of the Department of Public Safety, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, District Courts, Tax Court, Board of Judicial Standards, Guardian Ad Litem Board, Public Defense Board, Sentencing Guidelines Commission, Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, and Uniform Law Commission.|
Highlights include:
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Directing the Department of Public Safety to collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to develop strategies for effectively combating the recruitment of Minnesota residents in terrorism groups such as ISIS
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Modifying the reciprocity provision of the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act to recognize permits to carry a pistol from other states with issuance laws that are similar to Minnesota’s laws
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Enhancing the penalty for criminal vehicular homicide when a person has certain prior driving related convictions, and enhancing the penalty for reckless driving causing great bodily harm or death to another.
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Strengthening sex trafficking laws and funding strategic grants to law enforcement to combat sex trafficking
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Prohibiting a person from intentionally adding certain bodily fluids to food or beverages.
"This legislation will put and keep people who should be in jail or prison behind bars," Cornish said. "With this legislation, not only will we better protect Minnesotans, but we are also showing support for those who put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety."
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