In his recent State of the State address, Governor Walz described Minnesota as “the best place to raise a child.”
Some may disagree.
Good schools and quality medical care aren’t enough to protect the thousands of children at risk of harm. Many of the state’s policies and practices aimed at addressing child maltreatment must change. Last year at least 6,000 children were deemed to be in “substantial danger” at home and more than two dozen children died after being intentionally harmed.
On average, a child is killed every two weeks.
Safe Passage for Children urged the governor to proclaim April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Minnesota. Although this month is coming to a close, our work continues. We’re tracking more than two dozen bills related to child protection and wellbeing. And we’re happy to report that our top issue – improved training for mandated reporters – has passed both the House and the Senate. In both chambers, there was overwhelming bipartisan support with all in favor.
Initiated by Safe Passage, the bill was supported and carried forward by Representative Jim Nash (R-Waconia) and Senator Rich Draheim (R-Fairmont). Please take a few minutes to send a short email to both of them, stating “Thank you for your support of HF 1346. This bill is an important step toward recognizing the warning signs of abuse in our community – and preventing unnecessary calls to child protection.”
We expect Governor Walz to sign HF 1346 into law very soon. May it be one of a flurry of bills coming the governor’s way to make Minnesota a safer home for all children.