2007 Minnesota Statutes

299A.28 MCGRUFF SAFE HOUSE PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Symbol. The symbol of "McGruff" with the phrase "McGruff House" is the
symbol to designate a house in this state where a child may seek help when threatened.
    Subd. 2. Duties of commissioner. The commissioner of public safety shall:
(1) design or adopt a standard symbol to designate a safe house that is the "McGruff" symbol
used in other states;
(2) make available written information about the safe house program and "McGruff" symbols
to school districts and law enforcement agencies;
(3) publicize the safe house program in as many ways as is reasonably practical;
(4) require the appropriate local law enforcement agency to maintain a register of safe houses;
(5) either directly or through cooperation with the appropriate law enforcement agencies
conduct background checks on persons who apply to have their house be a safe house.
    Subd. 3. Display of symbol. A person displaying the "McGruff" symbol so that it is visible
from the outside of their house must be approved as a safe house by the appropriate local law
enforcement agency. The appropriate law enforcement agency must supply the symbol to the
person. The symbol is the property of the law enforcement agency, and a person must return the
symbol to the law enforcement agency if the agency determines that the house no longer qualifies
as a "McGruff" house. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 4. Safe houses; requirements. The appropriate law enforcement agency must provide
"McGruff" symbols to persons who apply for symbols if they agree in writing to follow the
terms of the safe house program and pass a background check by the appropriate local law
enforcement agency.
    Subd. 5. Exclusive symbol. The safe house symbol provided by this section is the exclusive
symbol for safe houses in this state.
    Subd. 6. Rules. The commissioner of public safety may adopt rules necessary to implement
this section.
History: 1987 c 208 s 1