SF 2126

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/04/2025 09:59am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing Law Enforcement Appreciation Day;
providing law enforcement explorer program in schools; providing funding for
peace officer training; providing funding for pathway to policing reimbursement
grants; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 10; 120B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [10.586] LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY.
new text end

new text begin January 9 is designated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in the state in recognition
of the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the men and women in law enforcement who
keep our communities safe, enforce the rule of law, and respond in times of crisis. Each
year, the governor shall issue a proclamation honoring this observance.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [120B.239] LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORER PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Programs; establishment. new text end

new text begin Each school board is encouraged to partner
with a law enforcement agency to offer a law enforcement explorer program at public middle
schools and high schools in the state to educate students about law enforcement careers and
the criminal justice system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Curriculum. new text end

new text begin A law enforcement explorer program may be integrated into
existing curriculum, offered as an elective course, or offered as an after-school program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Credit. new text end

new text begin If a school district or charter school offers a law enforcement explorer
program as an elective course, a student enrolled in the elective course shall receive middle
school or high school course credit for successful completion of the course.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin PEACE OFFICER TRAINING ASSISTANCE; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to support and strengthen
law enforcement training and implement best practices. The funds may only be used to
reimburse law enforcement agencies for board-approved law enforcement training courses
that provide peace officers with statutory-mandated training.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin PATHWAY TO POLICING; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety for reimbursement grants to local units of government that operate pathway
to policing programs intended to bring persons with nontraditional backgrounds into law
enforcement. Applicants for reimbursement grants may receive up to 50 percent of the cost
of compensating and training pathway to policing participants. Reimbursement grants shall
be proportionally allocated based on the number of grant applications approved by the
commissioner.
new text end