Last week, Senate Democrats passed a partisan Judiciary and Public Safety omnibus bill that fails to address rising crime and instead rewards violent offenders with leniency and early release. The bill expands dangerous policies that make Minnesota more welcoming to criminals than to law-abiding citizens.

“The rule of law is crumbling in Minnesota,” said Senator Mark Koran (R–North Branch). “Democrats are handing out get-out-of-jail-free cards to violent offenders and rewriting the law to shield criminals from accountability. Meanwhile, victims are left behind and public trust in our justice system is at an all-time low.”

Two years ago, Democrats passed the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, which opened the door to early release for 92% of inmates. Victims are now being notified that their offenders could be released early. The new Senate proposal goes even further—allowing earlier release for over 100 inmates convicted of felony murder and drive-by shootings over the next 10 years, and more than 170 within the next 20.

The bill also removes protections for unborn children exposed to illegal drugs by shielding pregnant women from child neglect charges. In another move, Democrats added language allowing noncitizens—including those convicted of violent crimes—to seek post-conviction relief to avoid deportation.

Republicans proposed several amendments to strengthen the bill, including stopping early releases for violent offenders and redirecting funds from bureaucracy to frontline corrections officers and probation staff. All were rejected by Democrats.

“Minnesotans want safer communities,” Koran said. “But Democrats are making decisions that put criminals first and public safety last. This bill sends the wrong message and takes us further down the path of rising crime and shrinking accountability.”