Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Omnibus corrections bill OK’d

Published (3/2/2012)
By Mike Cook
Share on: 



Victims who would like to be informed when their offender is released from prison or a secure hospital could be notified electronically.

This is one of four provisions in an omnibus Department of Corrections bill approved Feb. 28 by the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee. Sponsored by Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center), HF2415 awaits action by the House Ways and Means Committee.

“The most powerful healing tool for a victim is information,” said Lydia Newlin, victim assistance program manager for the Corrections Department. “This just clarifies … kind of gets us modernized into where we’re at today with allowing victims to request notification.”

Newlin said most victim notification is an opt-in procedure, and current law requires that to be done by writing a request to the corrections commissioner. A federal grant has helped the department develop a new electronic system called Minnesota Choice, which, in part, provides victims a choice in how they want to be notified.

Also in the omnibus bill is:

HF1938, sponsored by Cornish, which would allow the Department of Corrections’ Fugitive Apprehension Unit to apply for a search warrant;

HF1958, sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), which would bar offenders convicted of murder, manslaughter, criminal sexual conduct, assault, drive-by shooting, assault, robbery, arson and other specified crimes from participating in the Challenge Incarceration Program; and

HF1959, sponsored by Hilstrom, which would eliminate an annual performance report from the Department of Corrections, instead reverting back to a biennial report. This is expected to save the department approximately $8,000.

A companion to HF2415, SF2084, sponsored by Sen. Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Keeping the courts adequately funded
Public safety finance law doesn’t gut Human Rights Department
(view full story) Published 8/11/2011

Governor vetoes public safety bill
At about $1.8 billion in spending, no cuts to courts were proposed
(view full story) Published 7/15/2011

DNA - It’s all in the family
Familial DNA could help solve criminal cases, but at what cost?
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Creating a ‘Safe Harbor’
Wide-ranging support for bill to decriminalize juveniles exploited by prostitution
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Two omnibus bills merged into one
DFL legislators oppose cuts to Department of Human Rights, Civil Legal Services
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Safety versus savings
Home fire sprinklers would be costly, but can save lives
(view full story) Published 3/4/2011

Minnesota Index: State corrections
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's correctional system
(view full story) Published 2/25/2011

How young is too young?
Committee debates age for youth being charged as an adult in certain cases
(view full story) Published 2/18/2011