DFL lawmakers in both the Minnesota House and Senate have unveiled a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at establishing a uniform system statewide for school districts that opt to implement a School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The proposed bill seeks to provide clarity on the use-of-force standard, addressing concerns raised by both law enforcement agencies and school districts.
“Safe schools are the cornerstone of a well-educated society,” stated Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL – New Hope), the lead author of the bill in the House. “This bill represents a collaborative effort among educators, law enforcement, and advocates to strike a balance between safety and individual rights, ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education in a secure and supportive environment.”
Sen. Bonnie Westlin (DFL – Plymouth), the lead author of the bill in the Senate, echoed Frazier’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of building upon previous legislative efforts to enhance school safety. “With the Attorney General’s expertise and input from numerous stakeholders, we have crafted a bill that will establish a comprehensive understanding of the role of school resource officers in supporting our children as they learn,” Westlin remarked.
The legislation comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny of law enforcement practices following the murder of George Floyd, which brought attention to the dangers associated with certain use-of-force techniques. In response, the Minnesota Legislature revised guidelines for the use of force in schools during the 2023 session, aiming to align school discipline practices with the shared goal of fostering safe and nurturing educational environments.
The proposed bill clarifies existing laws pertaining to the use of force in schools and maintains the prohibition on chokeholds for all peace officers as outlined in Minnesota Statute 609.06. It establishes a statutory definition for School Resource Officers and mandates a standardized basic training requirement for SROs statewide. Moreover, the legislation explicitly prohibits SROs from administering disciplinary actions for violations of school policies to mitigate potential harmful interactions between officers and students.
A key provision of the bill is the creation of a model policy by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, outlining minimum standards for districts contracting with SROs. This policy will cover proper use of force, tactics for minimizing physical restraints, the obligation to provide care, de-escalation procedures, and strategies for fostering positive police relationships with students, administrators, and educational staff. The development of this model policy will involve input from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, education experts, local governments, community advocates, and youth organizations.
“We have spent months gathering input from stakeholders to craft a bill that offers clarity to law enforcement while prioritizing student safety,” remarked Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview), chair of the House Public Safety Committee. “I anticipate further discussions and collaboration with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders as we move forward with this legislation.”
The bill is slated to undergo a public hearing in the House Education Policy Committee on Monday, February 12, at 4 p.m., with additional information available on the committee’s webpage.