Issue Position: Consumer Protection and Public Safety

Issue Position

As a legislator, Ron Latz has become recognized as a leading consumer advocate. While in the House, Ron Latz supported legislation that now allows Minnesotans a right to freeze their credit reports, something residents of few other states can do. That means no one can get credit in your name unless you authorize the freeze to be lifted.

In the State Senate, Ron continued to fight for consumers with the Car Buyers Bill of Rights. It requires car dealers to release credit report information to buyers as well as detailed information of what will be included in their payments. Sen. Latz, along with Rep. Steve Simon, worked to pass the Minnesota False Claims Act that aims to recover millions of taxpayer dollars stolen by those who knowingly submit false bills to the government. In 2009, Senator Ron Latz received an award from the Minnesota Association for Justice. In 2010, Sen. Latz introduced legislation to better regulate debt collectors.

To advance public safety, Sen. Latz was the chief author of legislation that, in 2007, created a two-county pilot project to put Ignition Interlock devices in repeat DWI offenders' cars. In 2009, he sponsored and passed a bill that expanded the pilot project statewide. During the 2010 session, Ron has played a key role in advancing legislation to make Ignition Interlock a permanent part of Minnesota's legal system, to help make sure people only drive while sober. This will reduce DWIs, save lives and help offenders keep their jobs.

Sen. Ron Latz believes that successful reentry programs are essential in reducing recidivism by aiding offenders when they are released into society. In 2009, Sen. Latz authored two pieces of legislation that reached these goals. These laws were a requirement for public employers to remove criminal records questions from the early stages of employment applications and a higher education criminal records notice for students entering specific fields of study.

Senator Ron Latz recently receive the Organizing Apprenticeship Project's Award for advancing racial justice in Minnesota. Ron continues to support bills that streamline our judicial process, save money and keep our streets safe.

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