Bill establishing confidentiality in restorative justice programs headed to governor's desk

Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton) wants to give victims more options when seeking accountability.

Feist sponsors HF104/SF2200* to establish confidentially for statements made in a restorative justice program, making them inadmissible in court, similar to the practice that already exists for alternative dispute resolution.

“It’s important to the success of a restorative process for there to be a legally safe space for dialogue,” Feist said.

The House passed the bill 98-36 Monday. The Senate passed it 64-0 April 25 and it now goes to the governor.

The bill was championed by sexual assault survivors and will contribute to a victim’s healing, Feist said. “We have to listen to victims and provide more options for them to get the meaningful accountability and healing they want and deserve.”

The bill doesn’t replace existing legal mechanisms for holding offenders accountable, according to Feist.