ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation chief-authored by Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) to improve safety and security at the Capitol complex, in Minnesota’s courts, and for lawmakers and other state officials.
The package passed in a bipartisan vote of 45 to 19.
“This legislation addresses some longstanding gaps in safety for the people who visit our Capitol complex, for those working in our courthouses, and for those lawmakers, judges, and other public officials who are seeing an alarming rise in threats to their lives and those of their families,” said Sen. Latz. “Political violence and threats of violence directly undermine the principles of our democracy. While none of us could have foreseen the tragic events of June 14, we can and must do everything we can to make sure something like it never happens again.”
The bill includes important security funding for the state courts, including security courthouse grants and increases privacy protections for Minnesota judges and their immediate families, provides funding for them to purchase home security upgrades, and expands the Judicial Security Unit.
For Capitol complex needs, ongoing funding is dedicated to security improvements, including physical security upgrades, weapons screening equipment, and additional infrastructure to support these efforts. The bill also creates a protective services unit that would provide security and protective services for state officials, conduct threat assessments, and partner with local law enforcement and the legislative sergeants-at-arms as needed to make sure these officials are safe.
Finally, the bill also prohibits the sale of a public safety vehicle to the public unless any equipment or insignia that could mislead a person into believing it is a legitimate public safety vehicle is removed first.
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