High profile criminal justice bills move forward in Minnesota Capitol

Published 9:34 am Wednesday, May 18, 2016

ST. PAUL — Minnesota lawmakers have advanced two high profile criminal justice bills, but they both still have to clear at least one more hurdle.

The legislation sets state guidelines on police body cameras and rewrites drug sentencing laws.

The police body cameras bill would require agencies utilizing the technology to adopt policies after public input and to submit to regular audits to ensure they’re following the rules.

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The drug sentencing bill would give more leniency to first-time offenders so they’re more likely to get treatment than time behind bars. The bill also raises the amount of illegal drug possession before the most severe charges kick in.

Both bills face opposition from some state lawmakers.