YOU NEED TO KNOW - Minnesota Deputy Secretary Jim Gelbmann

There is a statute in Minnesota that gives the Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, the power to sanction programs who place foreign exchange students in harms way: MN Statute 5A.01-07

Deputy Secretary Jim Gelbmann, is one of the champions behind the law.  Minnesota Representative Phyliss Kahn sponsored the bill. Mr. Gelbmann's interview with WCCO's Don Shelby explains why and how the law came about.  The law gives Minnesota the power to investigate and terminate registrations of organizations that don't meet standards set by the state of Minnesota. Similar law to protect Minnesota students going abroad are non-existent.

When ClearCause director, Sheryl Hill, asked Secretary of State Deputy Director, Jim Gelbmann, to expand the law to include Minnesota Students going abroad he said, "It makes sense."

It may be too late for the law to enact this year.  Look for Minnesota - a national leader in child protection to step up.  Please write to Minnesota's Secretary of State and thank him, and Jim Gelbmann, for stepping up. Ask your state's representative to enact similar law - Secretary of State.

Safe Global Youth Travel - let them see the world, safely.