Survivor testimony helps move Minnesota bill on grooming training to Education Finance

Representative Peggy Bennett moved House File 3489 and the committee adopted the author's A5 amendment before hearing testimony on the bill.

Hannah Lopresto, who identified herself as a survivor, told the committee she was groomed and sexually assaulted by her high‑school band teacher and described years of psychological manipulation. "Grooming is the creation of a false world made just for you," Lopresto said, adding that required training "better equips our mandated reporters to recognize and stop abuse before it escalates." She reported that some educators observed concerning patterns but did not report them, and that better training could have helped.

Chad Clawson, a detective with the Eagan Police Department who investigated Lopresto's case, said the absence of criminal charges in that matter was not a result of lacking probable cause but rather "gaps in Minnesota law in 2016 regarding positions of authority in high school students." Clawson urged clearer statutory definitions and told the committee, "Grooming is maltreatment. A teacher cannot accidentally groom a student." He described grooming as a multi‑step process that can take years and stressed the bill's focus on early intervention.

Members who spoke in the committee expressed sympathy for the survivor and support for moving the bill forward while noting fiscal questions. Representative Bennett said a fiscal note had been requested and that members would address cost issues as they arise. The committee renewed the motion to re‑refer House File 3489 and, after voice votes on the amendment and the motion, the chair announced the bill as amended is on its way to the Education Finance Committee.

Next steps: the bill, as amended by the A5 author's amendment, will proceed to the Education Finance Committee for further review and any fiscal analysis.