MN Sheriffs Urge Lawmakers to Pass Bonding Bill

(Learfield News/Undated) – Dozens of sheriffs from across Minnesota are urging Governor Tim Walz and lawmakers to pass the bonding bill.

They say mental health facilities need to expand their bed capacity.

Renville County Sheriff Scott Hable says too many of these patients are being held in jails, “when they need treatment, not incarceration.” He says the lack of capacity is criminalizing mental illness.

Without the bill, Sheriff Dawanna Witt of Hennepin County says the years-long mental health crisis will only get worse, and that “it’s past time to put their money where their mouth is and repeal the two-year pause.”

Democratic leaders have said the bonding bill is dead for this session.

Republicans argue it still hasn’t been discussed.