Minnesota House unanimously passes bill enabling funds for Child Advocacy Centers
FILE - Morning light strikes the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski, File)
The Minnesota House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would add children’s advocacy centers to the list of “victim assistance programs” and allow them to receive funds from fines of people convicted of assault or criminal sexual misconduct. The bill was authored by State Representative Pete Johnson (DFL- Duluth).
Under current law, courts must impose a fine on people convicted of assault, domestic assault, assault on an unborn child, or criminal sexual conduct for an amount that is at least 30% of the maximum amount allowed by law for the offense.
70% of the proceeds from each fine is allocated to a local victim assistance program in the county where the crime was committed, with the remaining 30% deposited in the state General Fund.
“This is a good bill that speaks for itself, it provides support to a great program that does right by Minnesota’s kids,” said Rep. Johnson. “When a horrendous crime is committed, we can at least ensure that support is delivered to victims and their families.”
Child Advocacy Centers provide support, advocacy specialized medical evaluation, and more to children who have been the victims of abuse and their non-offending family members.