ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota Senate committee is holding a hearing on the legally imperiled Minnesota Sex Offenders Program.
The Judiciary Committee convenes Monday morning at the Capitol. They’re scheduled to talk about an issue that’s likely to be a contentious one when the entire Legislature returns to St. Paul early next year.
A federal judge has put Minnesota on notice that its treatment program for sex offenders needs to be significantly changed or else could be dismantled by the court. The state has a long practice of keeping offenders in indefinite custody after their prison terms have ended.
In the program’s 18 years, only one offender has been released.
A Department of Human Services task force is scheduled to release recommendations by Dec. 1 for possible legislative changes to the program.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
