Scott Jensen in MN legislative records

On Abortion: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Legislative Summary:SF704 / HF812: Abortion facilities licensure requirement

Analysis by Planned Parenthood:This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 79-53-0 on April 24, 2017; Passed Senate 38-7 on May 4; State Senator Scott Jensen voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 10

Source: Planned Parenthood on Minnesota voting record SF704 / HF812 May 4, 2017

On Crime: Increase penalties for blocking highways, airports, transit

HF390: Penalties for obstructing trunk highway, airport, or transit traffic increased.

ACLU summary and recommendations for voting NO:

Introduced in direct response to Black Lives Matter protests
Would have a chilling effect on speech
Creates punishments that are disproportionate to the offense
Minnesota already has ample laws to address this issue

Veto message by Governor Mark Dayton:I do not support the broad transit provisions in this bill. The language does not provide clarity regarding the actual crimes, for which it creates stiffer penalties. I believe that the Statute's existing language: "tends to...." is unacceptably vague and subjective. Current law gives law enforcement the authority and tools needed to protect public safety.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 83-44-7 on May/8/18; Passed Senate 40-27-0 on May/14/18; State Sen. Scott Jensen voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/19/18.

Source: ACLU recommendation on Minnesota voting record HF390 May 14, 2018

On Immigration: Require compliance with federal REAL ID

Legislative Summary: Only the following is satisfactory evidence for obtaining driver's licenses and MN identification cards:

a valid, unexpired US passport
a certified copy of a birth certificate
a valid, unexpired permanent resident card, certificate of naturalization, or unexpired employment authorization document
a valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign country and a valid, unexpired US visa accompanied by documentation of lawful admittance into the US

Wikipedia background: The REAL ID Act of 2005 modifies US federal law pertaining to issuance procedures for state driver's licenses. Prior to the REAL ID Act, each state set its own rules and criteria regarding the issuance of a driver's licenses or ID cards, including what documents must be provided to obtain one.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 72-58-0 on Feb. 23; passed Senate 60-7-0 on March 30; State Sen. Scott Jensen voted YES; signed by Gov. Dayton on May 18.

Source: Planned Parenthood on Minnesota voting record SF704 / HF812 May 4, 2017

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Minnesota House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Minnesota House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Scott Jensen. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Aug 18, 2024