MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers who have long put off large-scale changes to the state's treatment program for sex offenders are under even more pressure to act this session, as a federal judge could soon rule on whether the program is constitutional.

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank has called the program "draconian" and "clearly broken" and has urged lawmakers to make major changes.

Depending on the outcome of the trial that is set to begin in February, Frank could also order changes of his own.

Some of the issues include the civil commitment law, sentencing rules and possible alternatives that would make it easier for sex offenders to leave the program.

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