09-2945uspension March 11. 2009 Council File # 09-294
Green Sheet # GS 3068036
RESOLUTION
_ , CITI( OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
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Presented by
WHEREAS, currently 155,000 Minnesota adu]ts are under some form of correctiona] supervision; ] 42,000 on probation,
4,200 on some level of supervised release, and 9,100 in prison; and
WHEREAS, at least that many additional people have a criminal record who have satisfied all the requiremenu of their
sentence. This means that one in sixteen Minnesotans must overcome the stigma of a conviction to qualify for housing,
employment, and student loans, among other things; and
WHEREAS, the prison popu]ation is now five times larger than it was only 25 years ago. Every yeaz, more than 6,000
people are released from Minnesota prisons and expected to reintegrate into society. Two-thirds of those people return to
prison within three years of release for committing a new crime. Additionally, approximately 15,000 felony convictions
occur each year as opposed to in the early eighties when on]y about 5,000 felony convictions occurred each year, without
a corresponding increase in crime rates; and
WHEREAS, there are over 200 legislative collateral sanctions that continue to punish people with crimina] records afrer
they have served their sentence. They restrict a person from pursuing certain careers and obtaining professional licenses,
they limit housing options and access to education, employers and landlords are afraid to employ or rent to ex-offenders,
because they can be held liable for the employee or tenanYs behavior, further inhibiting ex-offenders' ability to access the
pro-social things they need to survive; and
WHEREAS, beyond systemic barriers, the evolution of technology and information has seen large increases in the number
of private companies instituting background checks, the ]ikes of which were previously limited to national security. The
companies who gather information for those background checks are largely unmonitored and unregulated; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. has an incarceration rate 8 times the wor]d average. In Minnesota there were approximately 5,000
felony convictions in 19&2; in 2006 there were about 15,�00. At the same time the legislature has increased the barriers to
employment for people with a criminal record, employers and landlords have become more afraid of people with criminal
records, and electronic access to records has greatly increased; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, February I lth, at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, over 1000 ex-offenders, community
members, and supporters ofjustice reform came together to highlight the importance of second chances in an event known
as Second Chance Day 2009. Speakers included individuals who have struggled with the mazk of a criminal record,
Speaker of the House Mazgret Anderson Kelliher and other legislative members and ]eaders, Ramsey CounTy District
Court Judge George Stephenson, Executive Director of the Jacob Wetterling Foundation Nancy Sabien, and Executive
Director of the Children's Defense Fund Minnesota Jim Koppel; and
WHEREAS, sponsors for Second Chance Day 2009 included 180 Degrees, Inc., AMICUS, Goodwill Easter Seals,
Council on Crime and Justice, Rebuild Resources, Jacob Wetterling Foundation, RS Eden, Minnesota Council of
Churches, MN Catholic Conference, Children Defense Fund, Peace Foundation, Minneapolis Urban League, HIRED,
LIFE in Recovery, NAMI MN, Barbara Schneider Foundation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that public safety and fiscal responsibility, as wel] as a belief in the dignity of
all and the possibility of rehabilitation and redemption, demand that we give people with a criminal record a rea]
opportunity to become productive citizens, It is vitally important to develop a process that recognizes an individuaPs
progress toward that goal and minimizes the effects of past behavior on future success and integration, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Counci] of Saint Paul supports:
09-294
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Senate File 560 and House File 0891, expanding and modifying the expungement law; authorizing courts to
modify or suspend collatera] sanctions under certain conditions; limiting the situations for public availability of
juvenile delinquency crimina] records; and
Senate File 562 and House File 0882, relating to civil liability; limiting admission of crimina] history evidence in
actions against private employers, exceptions; regulating evidence of rehabilitation determinations; and
Senate File 564 and House File 0881, relating to elections; restoring civil rights to individuals convicted of
felonies at the time of release from incarceration or probation placement, whichever comes first; and
Senate File 763 and House File 0545- Relating to elections; requiring notice of restoration of civil rights for
certain qualified discharged inmates; specifying certain duties of correctional facility probation and parole
officers for voter registration application purposes; and
Senate File 1097, relating to public safety; establishing the certificate of good conduct for persons convicted or
adjudicated delinquent; providing for a court petition process and specifying eligibility; now
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the bills to restore voting rights to people with a felony conviction upon release from
prison and to provide notification about voting rights both passed out of the Senate State and Loca] Government
committee yesterday and the Judiciary committee will be having a"2nd Chance hearing" on Tuesday, March 17, 3:00 pm
in room I S of the Capitol and the voting rights bills will be heard, along with `Ban the Box" and some others to improve
life for people with criminal records; and
BE IT F[NALLY RESOLVED, that we believe all people have inherent dignity and worth - no exceptions - and this is a
chance to elevate those values.
Bostrom
Carter
Stark
Thune
Requested by Department oE
By:
Approved by the Office of Financial Services
By:
Approved by City Attorney
IL I.1 I / I / I By:
Adopted by Council: Date ��// Id9 Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
Adoption Certified by Co ncil Secretary By:
B ' � �
Approved �Iv1a3� ; Dat �l
By:
� Green Sheet Green Sheet
09-294
Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet
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DepartmenVOfficelCouncil: Date InRiated: GCeeil Sl lee� NO 3068036
CQ _Council 11_MAR-09
Conqct Person & Pho�e: Department Sent To Person InitiaVDate
CM Melvin Cader o ouncu 0
266-8610 I ouncu �
Assign Z ' Clerk 0
Must Be on Council Agenda by (Date): Number 3' r-�
For
Routing 4 �--�
Doc.7ype:RESOLUTION Order 5 i0
E-Document Required: Y
Document Contact: Joan Reidell
Contact Phone: 266-8610
7otai # of Signature Pages _(Clip All Lowtions tor Signature)
Action Requested:
Resolution supporting Second Chance legislation to include Senate Files 560 - House File 0891, Senate File 562 - House File 0882,
Senate File 564 - House File 0884, Senate File 763 - House File 0545, and Senate File 1097, at the Judiciary Committee Hearing on
March 17, 2009.
Recommendations: Approve (A) or Reject (R)� Pereonal Service Contrects Must Answer the Following Questions:
Planning Commission t. Has this person/firm ever worked under a contract for this department?
CIB Commi@ee Yes No
Civil Service Commisswn 2 Has this personlfrm ever been a city employee?
Yes No
3. Does this person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any
curre�t city employee?
Yes No
Explain all yes answers on separete sheet and attach to green sheet.
Initiating Problem, Issues, Opportunity (Who, What, When, Where, Why):
Advantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Not Approved:
Total Amount of CosURevenue Bud eted:
Transaction: 9
Funding Source: Activity Number:
Financial Infortnation:
(Explain)
March 11, 2009 3:A6 PM Page 1