ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Senate voted 57-9 to advance a bill to exempt contracted school police officers from using prone holds on unruly students. The bill differs slightly from a version passed earlier by the House. The two bills now go to a joint Senate-House committee to reconcile differences. Both versions allow prone holds if a student poses serious self-risk or risk to others – and if officers have special police training. The goal to minimize risks of serious harm that impede a student’s ability to breathe or voice distress. The bill’s Senate author Bonnie Westlin, D-Plymouth, said the bill would create uniformity and clarity to the duties of school resource officers. “This,” she said, “is a child-focused, child-centered approach to the role of SROs within our schools, and it promotes a positive learning environment for all students.”
Westlin. Senator since 2023. Committees: Education, Public Safety.