Police accountability act passes in Minnesota House, heads to Senate

Overnight, the Minnesota House passed its Minnesota Police Accountability Act.

The debate went until just after 1 a.m. Friday, and the bill moved forward mostly along party lines.

House legislators ended up combining three separate bills to create the act.

It aims to put more authority in the hands of communities that officers patrol and attempts to reform police reporting, response and debriefing.

It also seeks to increase accountability by changing use of force restrictions and the investigation, prosecution and bail of officers.

"Minnesotans expect and deserve action on racial justice and police accountability legislation," House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said in a statement. "The eyes of the world are on Minnesota, and we have to meet this moment. In the last hours of the special session, we hope Senate Republicans will join us in delivering long-overdue change for the people of Minnesota."

The amended bill now heads back to the Senate.

Friday, the House will be back in session at 9 a.m., with the Senate starting at 10 a.m.

Then, Minnesota DFL leaders in both the House and Senate will speak about the ongoing special session, at noon.

Republicans have said they want to wrap up the session by the end of the day Friday, while DFLers have been open to extending its duration.

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