Lawmakers Press for Sexual Assault Reforms

Measures to close loopholes and strengthen sexual assault laws were presented to the press by a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers Wednesday, April 7. The provisions in HF 707 / SF 1683 result from the work of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Statutory Reform Working Group created by the legislature in 2019. A recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court which overturned a sexual assault conviction because the victim was voluntarily intoxicated has sparked lawmakers to push for quick action to modify the law.

In addition to addressing definitions for mental incapacitation and intoxication, the legislation would also offer protections to the youngest teenagers, prohibit educators from engaging in sexual conduct with children and create a new sexual extortion crime.

According to the DFL lead of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, this bill is the number one priority of the bipartisan, bicameral caucus. “We believe that now is the time and the opportunity to address these issues,” he said.

The House Public Safety and Judiciary Committees have approved the legislation. The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee will consider the “mental incapacitation” language for possible inclusion in the omnibus budget and policy bill at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.