1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring a light rail transit safety assessment; requiring 
1.3 	a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SAFETY ASSESSMENT.
 1.6 	(a) The Metropolitan Council must contract with an independent entity to perform a 
1.7 	comprehensive assessment of public safety on the light rail transit system and options to 
1.8 	increase safety. The entity must have expertise in transit and safety issues, including 
1.9 	experience performing the types of analysis required under this section.
1.10 	(b) At a minimum, the assessment must include:
1.11 	(1) a summary of recent history and trends in criminal activity throughout the light rail 
1.12 	transit system;
1.13 	(2) identification of likely causes of crime rate increases on the light rail transit system;
1.14 	(3) evaluation of the methodology used by the Metropolitan Council for crime data 
1.15 	collection;
1.16 	(4) analysis of coordination between the Metropolitan Council, other law enforcement 
1.17 	agencies, and local units of government;
1.18 	(5) a review of methods to reduce fare evasion, loitering, and behavior of individuals 
1.19 	and groups that negatively impacts the rider experience;
1.20 	(6) analysis and evaluation of:
1.21 	(i) increasing the number and expanding the presence of peace officers;
2.1 	(ii) mandating peace officer issuance of citations instead of warnings;
2.2 	(iii) authorizing fare inspectors who are not licensed peace officers;
2.3 	(iv) establishing new penalties and increasing penalties for violations while on the light 
2.4 	rail transit system;
2.5 	(v) expanding surveillance and response capabilities, including but not limited to real-time 
2.6 	monitoring at stations and onboard trains;
2.7 	(vi) creating paid fare zones in light rail transit stations, with accompanying penalties 
2.8 	for violations;
2.9 	(vii) establishing a barrier system to access trains and waiting areas at light rail transit 
2.10 	stations, whether at all or a number of stations; and
2.11 	(viii) expanding social services activities;
2.12 	(7) evaluation of methods implemented by the Metropolitan Council to analyze and 
2.13 	reduce criminal activity; and
2.14 	(8) recommendations for changes to state law and the Metropolitan Council's procedures 
2.15 	or practices.
2.16 	(c) By February 15, 2021, the Metropolitan Council must a submit a safety report to the 
2.17 	chairs, ranking minority members, and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
2.18 	over transportation policy and finance. The report must include a copy of the independent 
2.19 	safety assessment, a review of relevant changes planned or implemented by the Metropolitan 
2.20 	Council, and comments regarding the findings and recommendations of the assessment.

2.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. This section is effective the day following 
2.22 	final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, 
2.23 	Scott, and Washington.

2.24 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; SAFETY ASSESSMENT.
 2.25 	$....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the Metropolitan 
2.26 	Council for the safety assessment under section 1.

2.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.