Local legislators’ push to stiffen child abuse laws has yet to be heard in either the Minnesota House or Senate.

Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, and Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, introduced the bill in the Senate and House in February; however, they haven’t gotten much feedback.

The bill would change one word: “substantial bodily harm” to “demonstrable bodily harm,” and make it easier to charge certain crimes as felonies instead of lower level offenses.

Talk of drafting legislation for harsher punishment was spurred by last year’s sentencing of a Dexter couple, Brian and Charity Miller, who chained their now 6-year-old son to his crib from bedtime to morning every night over a six-month period and withheld food and bathroom access from him and his 8-year-old brother.

Yet if the House or Senate do not hear the bill before next Friday, it will not advance during this legislative session.

Poppe said the bill comes in part from a push by Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen to toughen the law in response to the Millers case. Poppe has spoken with the chair of the Public Safety Committee, and he indicated he will not oppose the bill in the House. However, Poppe fears that other legislators may view the proposed law change as too harsh on parents.

“We’d like to be able to have a hearing so that all sides can come forward and describe what the situation is,” Poppe said.

Sparks also hopes for a hearing soon, and he said local authorities mentioned they would also be willing to testify to the Senate.

The Senate bill is still in the hands of the judicial committee, and Sparks has sent more information to the chairman of that staff, as well.

— Jason Schoonover contributed to this report