SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota House has passed the Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee Report, SF 2909. Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL – New Brighton) served on the House Judiciary Committee and as vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee. The conference committee report contains multiple provisions authored by Rep. Feist. This report will create a safer Minnesota while working to break cycles of crime and violence.
“I am thrilled that my youth justice provisions were incorporated into the final bill,” said Vice Chair Feist. “Collectively, these provisions will enhance public safety and address the deep injustices in the status quo by strategically and generously investing in Minnesota youth.”
Rep. Feist’s provision creates the Office of Restorative Practices within the Department of Public Safety. The office will be responsible for building the capacity to administer restorative practices and a grant program while providing technical assistance and oversight. Research shows that community-based responses are more effective in meeting children and families in crisis, involved in the juvenile justice system, and struggling with other social issues. These practices are more effective in reducing recidivism than traditional sentencing and are dramatically more successful in providing healing and closure for those harmed by youth violence. They also effectively address stark racial disparities in the treatment of BIPOC youth under the current systems.
This bill also incorporated long-sought-after reforms to Minnesota’s system of community supervision.
“This session, we reached a historic agreement and collaboration between the three probation delivery systems,” Rep. Feist continued. “Our current system has dramatic racial disparities, inadequate and inequitable funding, and is failing Minnesotans. The new funding formula will be a game-changer, along with an accompanying collection of reforms to address inequities in outcomes.”
The Public Safety budget also incorporated a provision by Rep. Feist to address gun violence through an evidence-based approach.
“Our commitment to gun violence prevention runs deep in this bill,” said Vice Chair Feist. “I was proud to partner with the Violence Prevention Project Research Center to secure funding for its efforts dedicated to reducing violence in society and using data and analysis to improve policy and practice. The Center’s research on mass shootings has received global media attention. Funding their work will give the legislature the tools for evidence-based policy development on gun violence prevention and intervention.”
The Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee Report includes $250,000 annually to fund The Violence Prevention Research Center. In addition, they must submit an annual report on their work and findings. The report must include a description of the data reviewed, an analysis of that data, and recommendations to improve criminal justice-related policy and practice in Minnesota with specific recommendations to address deaths and injuries involving firearms.
“I’m proud to continue the legacy of Minnesota’s Youth Intervention Programs grant legislation,” said Rep. Feist. “This program has been historically underfunded, and this lack of investment has caused increased costs around youth justice and out-of-home placement and negatively impacted public safety. This year we are rightsizing our investment to bolster youth intervention strategies to create a more equitable and effective system of youth justice that supports, rather than punishes, struggling kids.”
Increased funding for Youth Intervention Programs (YIP) lands annual funding at $7,100,500. Every $1 million invested in the YIP grant positively impacts 25,000 young people each year.
“For years, we have been trying to convince the legislature that supporting our young people living with toxic stress, trauma, and abuse is an essential service,” said Executive Director of the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA) Paul Meunier. “This year, the legislature took action, and we are so grateful. The new funding is transformational not only for young people and their families but for local communities and all of Minnesota.”
The Senate has passed the Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee Report. It now heads to Governor Walz.
Video of the bill presentation can be viewed on the House Public Information’s YouTube Channel.