Rep. Torkelson Says Minnesota House Approving Legislation Aimed at Protecting the Public

ST. PAUL – With the 2026 session ending in mid-May, State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said the Minnesota House has been approving several bills that are designed to protect the public – particularly minors – from bad actors.

“We have heard several horrible stories in our House committees that highlight the need for stronger safeguards,” Torkelson said. “I’m pleased we’re coming together in bipartisan fashion to move these proposals forward.”

Torkelson, who is a co-chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, says his committee has approved all of these bills and sent them to the House floor for a full debate.

Legislation that would prevent grooming in Minnesota’s schools has moved forward. The bill was drafted after a Minnesota girl came forward with her story of being groomed and sexually assaulted by her high school band teacher. The legislation strengthens protection for students against sexual grooming by providing clear field trip supervision rules, improves mandatory reporting and mandated reporter training to include grooming, and creates a new felony penalty for grooming. It also allows grooming of children and youth to become a more chargeable and recognizable offense.

The House also approved a proposal to increase penalties for “sextortion” crimes. The 2021 death of a boy from Olivia brought this issue front and center. He was just 16 years old when he took his own life after sending illicit images to what he thought was a girl but was actually the perpetrator of an online sextortion hoax.

The legislation imposes enhanced penalties for some sextortion violations. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim suffering great bodily harm, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim’s death, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.

Finally, a bill has been approved that would ensure that electric motorcycles must follow the same rules as any other motorcycle. A woman in Hastings nearly died after a teenager driving an e-moto on a sidewalk hit her. Torkelson said this shows legislative action needs to be taken before more people – who aren’t even driving them – are accidentally injured, or worse.

“The goal of these bills is to protect people from abuse and criminal activity, and I’m pleased they will soon be sent to the Senate for consideration,” Torkelson said.