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Minnesota Senate Sends Police-Impersonation Penalty Bill to Walz

The measure stems from a masked-assailant attack that killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, leaving sponsor John Hoffman gravely injured.

Overview

  • The bill cleared the Senate with a unanimous vote after House passage last month, and a spokesperson said Gov. Tim Walz will sign it into law.
  • The legislation raises criminal penalties for people who pose as law enforcement to deceive the public.
  • Police say Vance Boelter posed as an officer using a mask and an SUV with emergency lights during the June 14 attack that killed Melissa Hortman and injured Sen. John Hoffman.
  • The attacks triggered what authorities described as a roughly 40-hour manhunt as officers moved to alert and protect other lawmakers.
  • Lawmakers are considering off-campus protection for officials and round-the-clock weapons screening at the Capitol after reported threats jumped to 93 last year from 18.