Minnesota House Passes Bill To Compensate Innocent

ST. PAUL (AP) - Innocent people who are wrongfully convicted could get as much as $100,000 for each year of imprisonment under a bill passed by the Minnesota House.

The proposal passed Monday sets compensation terms in such cases. It calls for a range of $50,000 to $100,000 for each year of imprisonment. Someone who wrongfully spends a year on supervised release or as a registered sex offender could be paid between $25,000 and $50,000.

The bill sponsored by St. Paul Democrat John Lesch would also offer compensation for court costs, lost wages and unpaid child support payments. It doesn't limit how much someone would get. The Minnesota Supreme Court's chief justice would appoint a panel to determine the compensation total.

The Senate version of the measure awaits floor action.