Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to amend the existing Minnesota statutes related to the definitions of certain zones where controlled substance laws have stricter enforcement. These zones include park zones, school zones, and public housing zones.

Main Provisions

• Park Zone Definition: Modifies the definition of a park zone to include areas designated as public parks by various authorities, extending the zone to 100 feet or one city block from the park’s boundary, whichever is greater. This change reduces the zone from the previous 300 feet.

• School Zone Definition: Changes the definition of a school zone to cover areas belonging to school districts and other educational organizations, extending to 100 feet or one city block from school property, whichever is greater, instead of the former 300 feet. It also includes areas within a school bus when transporting students.

• Public Housing Zone Definition: Updates the public housing zone definition to apply to public housing projects managed by local housing agencies, reducing the zone to 100 feet or one city block from the property's boundary, whichever is greater, down from 300 feet.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill notably reduces the distance defining the enforcement zones for drug-related activities around parks, schools, and public housing from 300 feet to 100 feet or one city block, whichever is greater.

Relevant Terms

• Public safety
• Controlled substances
• Park zone
• School zone
• Public housing zone
• Statutory definitions
• Law enforcement zones