Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Established in 2017, the binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee explores a range of issues, including: sentencing reform; strategies to reduce recidivism; the role and use of specialty courts; alternatives to incarceration; police and community relations; victims’ rights; and more. Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the MLC Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Committee activities include ongoing policy research, webinars and in-person meetings. The committee officers for 2023-2024 are Nebraska Sen. John Cavanaugh and Wisconsin Sen. Jesse James (co-chairs) and Ohio Sen. Michele Reynolds (vice chair). Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the committee.

The MLC Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee will meet again at the 2024 Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, which will be held July 21-24 in Columbus, Ohio.

An agenda for this meeting will be posted soon. Please contact CSG Midwest staff liaison for the committee, Laura Tomaka, with any questions.

The committee last met at the 2023 MLC Annual Meeting in Detroit.