Friends,
It's been another busy week. I had hearings on multiple important bills this week and remain committed to pushing ones we've already heard, including building support for the SMART Center in Inver Grove Heights.
I also wanted to thank so many of you for coming out on Saturday to discuss education and other important issues facing our community. It was a great discussion and it was wonderful to see familiar faces and meet new people. Thank you again!
Rep. Barr met with constituents and mental health care advocates on Mental Health Day at the Capitol.
Closing Sexual Harassment Loophole
On Wednesday, I spoke with KARE 11 regarding my bill to close a loophole in Minnesota's sexual misconduct laws that passed the Public Safety Committee. When fifth-degree sexual misconduct was created in 1988, there was a specific exception put into the law for "the intentional touching of the clothing covering the immediate area of the buttocks."
The existence of this loophole came as much of a shock to me as I am sure it does to you. My bill removes this loophole. There is simply no reason for this exemption to exist. You can see me discuss this more from a story on KARE 11 this week.
Dakota County SMART Center
The construction of the Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center in Inver Grove Heights is one of my very top priorities this session. Law enforcement and first responders from across the region would use the facility that would also provide a central location for regional resources, such as electronic crime units or drug task forces.
Chief Messerich, Chief Deputy Leko, Commissioner Atkins, Rep. Barr,
Chief Shaver, Michael Peterson, and Chief McCarthy
The facility would take the best practices in the areas of health and public safety to create better results in crisis situations. It will have a unique focus on soft skills that so often get overlooked compared to hard skills for law enforcement training.
Just last year, the Public Safety bill included a training requirement making it mandatory for an officer to complete 16 continuing education credits within their three-year licensing cycle. This training would cover crisis intervention and mental health crisis, conflict management and mediation, and recognizing and valuing community diversity and cultural awareness.This center will become a regional hub for just this type of training.
Video of me presenting this bill is available here.
Interview with House Information
Earlier this year, I sat down with nonpartisan House Information Services to preview the upcoming session and talk a bit about my first year in the legislature. Click here or below to watch the quick interview.
In Case You Missed It: Tour around 52B!
Late last summer, we put together a video that highlights some of the great and beautiful parts of District 52B, which encompasses Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake, parts of Mendota Heights and Eagan. I think it turned out very well and am proud to represent such a fantastic place to live. Check out the video here!
On this day in History
James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," was born in 1751. As an author of the Federalist Papers, drafter of the Constitution, the fact he was the fourth President of the United States is almost an afterthought in his extraordinary life.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas with me. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling me at 651-296-4192, or share your thoughts by emailing me at rep.regina.barr@house.mn.
Have a great weekend!
Regina