Republicans serving in the Minnesota legislature sure love to say the word "pedophile," but they seem to have a problem understanding what laws protect children.
DFL Communication Director Brian Evans tweeted a video compliation of Republican floor statements:
Minnesota voters in 2022: Look, please just be normal.#mnleg Republicans: pic.twitter.com/sy4gr10bU1
— Brian Evans (@BriInMN) May 17, 2023
Say what they will, their reason for uttering the word seems to be a talking point neediness, rather than any firm understanding of the crime.
At Star Tribune, Rochelle Olson did a bit of fact checking, reporting back in Legal experts say change to Minnesota Human Rights Act won't protect pedophiles:
GOP lawmakers leveled a heavy accusation at the DFL majority during public safety debates in recent days, accusing them of protecting pedophiles — adults who are sexually attracted to children.
A disproportionate amount of debate in the House and Senate over the 500-plus page, $3.5 billion public safety bill focused on the removal of one sentence from the state's Human Rights Act (HRA): "Sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attachment to children by an adult."
Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, said some may now "interpret the HRA to deem pedophilia as a protected class in Minnesota, which prevents them from being denied employment, housing, education and more."
Jess Braverman, legal director for Gender Justice, a St. Paul nonprofit that has advocated for the change, called GOP complaints "manufactured outrage." To protect pedophiles in the HRA, the Legislature would have to specifically add them as a class, Braverman said.
Mike Steenson, professor of law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, agreed with Braverman. "This doesn't create some sort of broad-based protection for those who prey on minors," he said.
The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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