 House Republicans conducted a press conference this week to share legislation that would provide immediate, meaningful improvements to school safety. It works to ensure every student is protected, regardless of where they go to school. The House Republican School Safety Plan includes: - Increased funding for school safety in public, nonpublic, and Tribal schools
- Expanded student mental health funding to support early intervention and crisis prevention
- Flexible, local options for anonymous threat reporting systems
- Funding to strengthen school safety plans tailored to local needs
- Discipline reforms to restore order in classrooms and support teachers and staff
- Additional flexibility for schools to hire student support personnel
These components represent what we’ve heard directly from superintendents, teachers, students, and parents across Minnesota. Many of them have historically received bipartisan support, with members on both sides acknowledging their importance. The proposal, offered as an amendment to H.F. 3493, was blocked by House Democrats both in committee and on the floor this week. ‘Sextortion’ bill Legislation to address “sextortion” in Minnesota is expected to be up for discussion on the House floor Monday. A top official with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has described sextortion as a “pandemic that has taken our country by storm” as predators manipulate and extort young people using intimate images. Olivia teenager Carter Bremseth was just 16 years old when took his own life in 2021 after falling victim to an online sextortion scheme. H.F. 2358 enhances penalties for sextortion offenses, scaled to the harm caused. When a perpetrator's actions contribute to serious bodily harm to a victim, they may face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. When those actions contribute to a victim's death, the penalty may rise to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000. The bill also accounts for the financial exploitation at the heart of these schemes, with penalties that can escalate with the monetary harm inflicted. No law can give Carter’s family back what they lost. But we can work to ensure that those who commit these crimes face real consequences, and I look forward to strong support for H.F. 2358 on Monday. Tax Day |