ST PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a revised legal opinion on the new and controversial state law that limits physical restraints on students late Wednesday afternoon.
The clarification comes after nearly 40 Minnesota law enforcement agencies pulled their School Resource Officers (SROs) from schools across the state.
Authorities say they pulled officers out of schools because they're worried about added liability. Some argue the new law is vague and can be interpreted as saying it's unlawful to apply any sort of restraint tactic on a disruptive student.
But in his new legal opinion, Attorney General Ellison writes that the new law does not limit the types of reasonable force that officers can use to carry out their lawful duties. In other words, school resource officers are still allowed to use restraints and reasonable force when making an arrest.
At the end of the letter, Ellison acknowledged law enforcement leaders have raised other questions, and that there may be room for additional clarification from the Minnesota Legislature.
Carver County Sheriff Jason Kamerud says the opinion is a "significant step forward," but added that he believes there will still be a push for a special session.
Governor Tim Walz said he doesn't think a special session is needed to clarify the law.
At last count, 39 agencies have pulled SROs out of schools, and others have been considering it and waiting for Ellison's clarification.