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| Date: | April 4, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Libbie Krueger | | Contact Phone: | 651.296.1388 | | Contact Email: | elizabeth.krueger@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| “JACOB’S LAW” SIGNED BY GOVERNOR |
ST. PAUL) — Today, the bill known as “Jacob’s Law” was signed by the governor. The new law will require law enforcement to notify both parents when a child is a possible victim of abuse, neglect or sexual assault.
Senator Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls), chief-author of the legislation, carried the bill after the mother of a victim of sexual assault came forward. When Sarah Guggisberg’s son Jacob was abused in 2005, only Jacob’s father, her ex-husband, was notified of the incident. Jacob later attempted suicide.
“If Sarah Guggisberg would have known about the abuse she could have gotten Jacob the help he needed much earlier and possibly prevented his suicide attempt,” Dahms stated. “This new law ensures that both parents are notified if their child is ever a victim of abuse. By passing this legislation, we are taking a step toward a quicker recovery and a brighter future for a child after unfortunate and unacceptable cases of abuse, neglect or sexual assault.”
The bill, which received unanimous support in the House of Representatives and the Senate, was presented to the governor on April 2, 2012 after its final passage through the legislature. Jacob and his mother were able to attend the bill signing ceremony at the Capitol with Governor Mark Dayton, Senator Dahms, and Representative Bruce Vogel (R-Willmar), the author of the bill in the House of Representatives.
“I am honored to have carried this legislation. Jacob and his mother have bravely stepped forward and shared their story to help other families in Minnesota. I would like to thank Jacob, his family and all the other supporters who have helped make sure this important legislation was signed into law,” Dahms concluded.
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