MN SF2506

Metropolitan Council must adopt a rider code of conduct for transit passengers and post it at light rail and park-and-ride stations; code cannot prohibit sleeping that does not otherwise violate conduct requirements.

Peace officers may order persons to depart transit vehicles or facilities for code of conduct violations; existing five prohibited activities (operating amplified devices, smoking, consuming food/beverages without authorization, littering, carrying animals without consent) remain misdemeanors only after one warning by transit representative.

Governor must appoint a Transit Service Intervention Project manager by March 13, 2023, with experience in social services, transit service, or law enforcement to coordinate high-visibility interventions on light rail lines.

Project manager must establish a working group with representatives from state departments (Human Services, Public Safety), Metropolitan Council, counties and cities with light rail lines, National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota, and community-based social service organizations.

Project implements two-phase intervention: social services teams deploy for three weeks beginning April 3, 2023; coordinated intervention teams (including peace officers and community service officers) deploy for at least nine weeks thereafter; appropriation amount and project expiration set for December 31, 2023.