Group Honors Woodbury Rep. Kieffer for Work on Sex Offender Bill

For her work on a bill that would increase penalties for repeat sex offenders, Woodbury Rep. Andrea Kieffer was recognized Thursday by the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Kieffer, a Republican serving her second term in the state House, worked on a similar bill last session and is hopeful lawmakers will support House File 142 this year.

“We’re really trying hard to get it passed,” said Kieffer.

One sticking point with the previous version of the bill was the fiscal note attached to it, but she said the state Department of Corrections may absorb the costs and help the bill become law.

The idea behind the legislation is to prevent those convicted of lesser sex crimes from committing more egregious offenses in the future, she said.

“A lot of times, these people started with the little stuff,” Kieffer said, noting the man recently charged with groping women at a grocery store parking lot.

The Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault recognized Kieffer with an AWARE Award during Thursday night’s ceremony at the Kelly Inn near the Capitol in St. Paul. Other 2013 honorees: Ruben Roasario, Yasmin Mullings, Erin Kuester, Louise Erdrich and Sen. Tony Lourey.

One hurdle for the bill is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a defense lawyer who has put up “barriers” to the legislation, Kieffer said.

The House version is currently part of the public safety omnibus bill.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some closure on this,” Kieffer said.

While it wasn’t part of her legislative platform during her campaign, Kieffer said when she was approached about the bill it became important to her work at the Legislature.

“I take it very seriously,” she said.

For more information about the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, visit its website.

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