St. Paul Reporter

Earlier today in St. Paul, Representative Bidal Duran (R-Bemidji) spoke about the House Republicans’ school safety agenda, which focuses on protecting students, improving mental health resources, and holding violent offenders accountable.

“If we are serious about keeping families safe, we need to present real, workable solutions. That means tackling untreated mental illness, strengthening school security, and holding repeat offenders accountable,” Duran said. “House Republicans have a slate of proposals to do just that.”

The Republican proposals include expanding school safety funding to non-public schools—a move prompted by the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s 2023 request for security funding eligibility for non-public schools. Other elements of the agenda are school security grants, allowing flexibility in how schools use funding for safety improvements, and making School Resource Officers available at every school.

Republicans also want to repeal or amend current restrictions that prevent doctors from using their best medical judgment due to decisions made by Democratic lawmakers. The plan calls for increased funding for mental health treatment beds and establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat gun offenders and individuals who enable violent crime through straw purchases.