Column: Senate Report, by Dan Sparks

I was honored to stand with Gov. Mark Dayton this week as he signed the bill dealing with vulnerable adult neglect and child restraint crimes. The bill received strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. I am proud to have been a bill author for both of these initiatives.

As it was signed Wednesday, it is a comprehensive bill that will strengthen the state’s ability to crack down on those who harm vulnerable adults and children through abuse and neglect.

I began working on the child restraint bill in response to a tragic incident in Mower County last year. In the case that drew statewide attention, two parents were accused of chaining their children to their beds with large, heavy chains, restricting their bathroom use and denying them food. It was a sickening story that in the end, only resulted in six-month prison terms for the parents because current state law only allowed them to be charged with gross misdemeanors. Many similar gross-misdemeanor charges in Minnesota ended with no prison sentence at all for the violators.

Thanks to the bill signed Wednesday, anyone charged with restraining children in an excessive and cruel manner for a prolonged period that results in demonstrable bodily harm will be subject to felony convictions in the future, carrying up to a two-year prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

The other portion of the bill focuses on vulnerable adults, and arose in response to reports of caregivers intentionally depriving a vulnerable adult of food, shelter, supervision, clothing or health. The new law will mean those guilty of such charges in the future will face a prison sentence of between five and 10 years and significant fines.

We were joined at the Capitol by individuals from our area whose families have been impacted by neglect of a vulnerable adult and Mower county officials who were involved in the child abuse case. They all had personal experience with the inadequacy of Minnesota’s laws in this area and believe this new legislation will go a long way toward protecting those who need it most.

Although the legislature is not mandated to adjourn until May 21, there are discussions that we may be approaching the final days of the legislative session. There are many pieces still moving — namely, a bonding bill, which has yet to be voted on. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me any time at: sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn; 651-296-9248; Room 19 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.

 

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the state senator for District 27.