1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 08/17/2015 02:32pm
A bill for an act
relating to state government; creating a working group on violence against Asian
women and children; requiring a report with findings and recommendations to
the legislature; appropriating money for the working group on violence against
Asian women and children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The commissioners of human services, health,
and public safety, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, in collaboration, shall
create a multidisciplinary working group to address violence against Asian women and
children by July 1, 2015.
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The commissioners of human services, health, and
public safety, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, shall appoint 15 members
representing the following groups to participate in the working group:
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(1) advocates;
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(2) survivors;
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(3) service providers;
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(4) community leaders;
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(5) city and county attorneys;
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(6) city officials;
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(7) law enforcement; and
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(8) health professionals.
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At least eight of the members of the working group must be from the Asian-Pacific
Islander community.
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The working group must:
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(1) study the nature, scope, and prevalence of violence against Asian women and
children in Minnesota, including domestic violence, trafficking, international abusive
marriage, stalking, sexual assault, and other violence;
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(2) review the criminal justice system's responses to violence against Asian women;
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(3) evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of existing support programs;
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(4) conduct a needs assessment of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs
and interventions;
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(5) identify barriers in delivering services to Asian women and children;
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(6) identify promising prevention and intervention strategies in addressing violence
against Asian women and children;
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(7) propose mechanisms to collect and monitor data on violence against Asian
women and children; and
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(8) provide expenditure estimates for the programs, where they are available.
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The commissioner of human services shall designate one member
to serve as chair of the working group.
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The chair shall convene the first meeting by August 10, 2015.
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Members of the working group
will be compensated and reimbursed for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section
15.059, subdivision 3.
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By January 1, 2017, the working group must submit its
recommendations and any draft legislation necessary to implement those recommendations
to the commissioners of human services, health, and public safety and the Council on
Asian-Pacific Minnesotans. The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans shall submit a
report of findings and recommendations to the chair and ranking minority members of the
committees in the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over health and
human services and public safety by February 15, 2017.
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The working group on violence against Asian women and children
sunsets the day after the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans submits the report under
subdivision 7.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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$500,000 in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the working group on violence against Asian women
and children.
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