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Dear Friends,
This week House and Senate Republicans called on Democrats to join us in taking action to resolve the Student Resource Officer (SRO) issue immediately. Republicans held a listening session Wednesday on SROs after the Majority ignored our requests for an informational hearing to develop a bipartisan fix. We heard from school staff, law enforcement, and those impacted by violence in schools so that we can work toward developing a legislative solution.
It is disappointing that there has been no action on SROs. The Majority hoped that a revised opinion on the law from Attorney General Keith Ellison would be sufficient. However, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released a contradicting interpretation of the law, suggesting that school resource officers could still be charged criminally, proving that a legislative fix is the only way forward. Due to the ongoing confusion this issue has created, a number of law enforcement agencies will not be returning school resource officers to schools.
This issue is not resolved until 100% of SROs are back in schools. We need legislative action as soon as possible so we can ensure our students and teachers are safe at school. Unfortunately, it appears the Majority is in no rush to call a special session. Indeed, they have so far only promised that they will hold a hearing on SROs next session. They have not even promised to fix this law.
Our students and teachers should be able to attend school knowing that they have the safest learning environment possible. I will continue pushing for a special session and a bipartisan, legislative solution to get all SROs back in schools.
The House and Senate Republican SRO listening session can be viewed in full here. You can read some of the news coverage of the listening session in the links below:
KSTP: State GOP lawmakers hold listening session on law affecting SROs
WCCO: GOP lawmakers hear from teachers, law enforcement in hopes of changing SRO law
Kare 11: GOP presses for SRO special session
KAAL: Lawmakers speak out on SRO law
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