ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature met Monday with lawmakers to quickly implement legislation to fix a law enacted last year that limits the powers of police who work in schools to restrain disruptive students.
The change was one of several restrictions on the use of force implemented in the state since the 2020 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer put the state in the international spotlight for racism and policing. Several law enforcement agencies pulled their officers from Minnesota schools last fall, calling the new rules unworkable.
The House and Senate ordered a fourteen-week session around noon Monday with a relatively modest agenda. They’ll be taking a breather after a momentous 2023 session in which Democrats used their newfound full control of the state House to implement virtually everything on their ambitious wish list. That included expanded abortion and transgender rights, paid family and medical leave, universal free school meals, child care credits and other help for families. The main task this year is a package of public infrastructure loans, known as a bonding bill. The session is scheduled to end on May 20.
The House of Representatives scheduled the first of at least three hearings on a possible resolution to the school facilities dispute on Monday evening, with a vote possible as soon as next week. It would seek to provide clarity by developing a statewide standard for training school personnel and developing a model policy for school districts on the appropriate use of force, including minimizing the use of restraints and other restraints that could impede breathing , while promoting conflict. de-escalation.
The bill also removes a requirement from last year’s law that a threat of bodily harm or death must be “imminent” before a teacher or principal can use “reasonable force” against a student to prevent injury or death to a student or others. prevent.
The Democratic-controlled House voted down a procedural attempt by the Republican minority to immediately bring up the issue.
“The Democrats have delayed solving this long enough, making our students and school staff less safe. We can’t wait another minute,” House Republican Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring said during the debate.
The lead sponsor in the House of Representatives, Democratic Rep. Cedrick Frazier of New Hope, countered that it was more important to get the bill through the public hearing first so all stakeholders can have their say.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, a former high school teacher, told reporters that his goal is to reach a compromise that ensures school staff and teachers have a clear understanding of what they can do in situations where students are in restraints. must be kept. that all parties can have confidence in the future.
A Senate committee is expected to take its first look at the legislation on Wednesday. Democratic Majority Leader Erin Murphy of St. Paul said she expects the bill to reach the Senate in the next two to three weeks.
Advocates for people with disabilities and mental illness expressed concerns about the potential reduction in protections for vulnerable students, while law enforcement groups called for changes to more explicitly protect police forces from civil liability.
Before lawmakers convened, Democratic Sen. Mary Kunesh of New Brighton led chants of “ERA! ERA!” as hundreds of people carrying green signs gathered in the Capitol rotunda for a top Democratic priority for the session, an Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution.
The amendment would ban gender discrimination and provide permanent constitutional protections for abortion rights, as well as gender identity and expression. Nearly all abortion restrictions were removed from Minnesota law during the 2023 session. Supporters want to ensure that no future session can restore them. The amendment would be put to a vote in 2026, giving supporters more time to campaign for it.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, accused Democrats of “playing political games” by waiting two years instead of letting voters decide in November. He said the amendment contains “extreme language” on abortion and other social issues.
Supporters of making Minnesota a “sanctuary” for immigrants without permanent legal status gathered outside the Capitol in support of a bill that would ban state and local governments from sharing data or cooperating with federal authorities on civil immigration enforcement. The slim Democratic majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate are divided on the issue, and House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, told reporters she didn’t think there were enough votes to pass the proposal .
___
Trisha Ahmed is a staff member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @TrishaAhmed15