The Minnesota Second Chance Coalition advocates for fair and responsible laws that allow those who have committed crimes to redeem themselves, fully support themselves and their families, and contribute to their communities to their full potential.

2010 Legislative Policy Agenda

Find your legislator to contact them about supporting these reforms by going to the Minnesota District Finder: Minnesota District Finder

1. Limit access to juvenile records.

While most people believe that juvenile records are and should be private and very limited in their long-term impact, current law creates a number of situations where juvenile records are public and/or limit the ability of the child to be employed in certain fields for many years or even the rest of their lives.

Senator Mee Moua and Representative John Lesch are introducing legislation that will enhance the ability of young adults with a juvenile record to reach their full potential as adults. Representative Joe Mullery has introduced legislation requiring that juveniles be given notice of collateral consequences of adjudication (HF2618).

2010 Juvenile Records Reform Act

2. Increase the court’s flexibility in staying the adjudication of juveniles.

By providing the court with more flexibility in staying the final sentencing of juveniles, more appropriate treatment programs can be utilized and more appropriate final outcomes achieved.

Representative Joe Mullery has introduced HF2707, extending juvenile stays of adjudication from 90 to 180 days.

3. Expand the types of criminal records that are eligible for sealing.

Under current law it is very difficult even for individuals who have received stays of adjudication or been put into diversion programs to ever have all records of the case sealed.

Senator Ron Latz and Representative Bobby Champion are introducing legislation that will make it possible, and with prosecutor agreement much easier, for all records of stays of adjudication and diversion to be sealed if the person has been crime free for at least one your since completion of sentence.

4. Limit the adverse impact of the criminal justice system on children and families.

The Second Chance Coalition supports any legislation that decreases the potentially harmful impact of the criminal justice system on children and families.

5. Require racial impact statements for new criminal justice legislation.

The racial disparities that currently exist in our criminal justice system may have been prevented if legislators had the data that is already available to understand the racial impact the legislation might have.

Senator Ron Latz is introducing legislation that will require racial impact screening and in some cases a racial impact statement for legislation that may affect the racial composition of the criminal offender population.

Policy Brief: Racial Impact Statements

Testimony on SF3326, April 14 2010

6. Fully diagnose and treat mental illness and chemical addiction.

Incarcerated individuals rely upon GAMC to receive health care while transitioning into full employment. The loss of GAMC, especially as it relates to metal health treatment, will greatly reduce public safety.

The Second Chance Coalition supports the full restoration of GAMC funding.

7. Address the unique needs of combat veterans and recognize military service.

Especially with the large number of veterans returning from combat in recent years, particular attention must be made to addressing the unique needs and recognition of those who serve our country through military service.

8. Count Prisoners where they come from.

Currently, the census bureau counts prisoners where they are incarcerated rather than where they come from, and Minnesota uses those numbers in creating voting districts, even though it violates the Minnesota constitution and prisoners are not allowed to vote. This process violates our principles of democracy by creating unequal representation.

Senator Linda Higgins plans to introduce legislation to begin to remedy this situation.

Count Prisoners where they come from | Sen. Higgins' bill is SF 3097