Minnesota House approves COVID-19 public safety solutions, requirement to test and store rape kits

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Saturday, the Minnesota House approved HF 3156, legislation addressing a variety of public safety and corrections solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains other important measures to protect public safety including a requirement that all unrestricted sexual assault examination kits be tested, investments in laboratory enhancements to combat violent crime, and funding for the Department of Corrections to ensure prisons remain safe.

“Public safety is a core component of our state government, and COVID-19 poses many unique challenges for our first responders and people within the corrections system,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), bill author and chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division. “The solutions in this bill reflect our shared commitment to addressing public safety broadly, even while much of our attention is directed toward the pandemic and saving lives. House DFLers are making these important investments – even when times are tough – and we hope the Senate Republican Majority can recognize Minnesotans are counting on these solutions as well.”

Solutions to address COVID-19 in the bill include expanded public access to correctional facility data, repeal of double-bunking requirements in prisons, and a direction to health care providers to return COVID-19 test results to public safety specialists as soon as possible. The legislation also gives temporary authority to the Department of Corrections to protect the health and welfare of state correctional employees and inmates – including the authority to release low-risk, nonviolent offenders who have 180 days or less in their term, and includes investments in community supervision. Continue reading “Minnesota House approves COVID-19 public safety solutions, requirement to test and store rape kits”