HF 1376

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/01/2023 11:01am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; establishing a reward fund for information on missing
and murdered Indigenous relatives; appropriating money; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [299A.86] REWARD FUND FOR INFORMATION ON MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Fund created. new text end

new text begin A reward fund for information on missing and murdered
Indigenous relatives is created as an account in the state treasury. Money appropriated or
otherwise deposited into the account is available to pay rewards and for other purposes as
authorized under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Reward. new text end

new text begin (a) The director of the Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Relatives, in consultation with the reward advisory group:
new text end

new text begin (1) shall determine the eligibility criteria and procedures for granting rewards under this
section; and
new text end

new text begin (2) is authorized to pay a reward to any person who provides relevant information relating
to a missing and murdered Indigenous relative investigation.
new text end

new text begin (b) A reward paid under this section may not exceed $........
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reward advisory group. new text end

new text begin (a) The director of the Office for Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Relatives, in consultation with the stakeholder groups described in
section 299A.85, subdivision 5, shall appoint an advisory group to make recommendations
on paying rewards under this section. The advisory group shall consist of the following
individuals:
new text end

new text begin (1) a representative from the Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives;
new text end

new text begin (2) a representative from a Tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides legal
services to Indigenous women and girls;
new text end

new text begin (3) a representative from a Tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides advocacy
or counseling for Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence;
new text end

new text begin (4) a representative from a Tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides services
to Indigenous women and girls;
new text end

new text begin (5) a Tribal peace officer who works for or resides on a federally recognized American
Indian reservation in Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (6) a representative from the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force.
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory group shall meet as necessary but at a minimum twice per year to carry
out its duties and shall elect a chair from among its members at its first meeting. The director
shall convene the group's first meeting. The director shall provide necessary office space
and administrative support to the group. Members of the group serve without compensation
but shall receive expense reimbursement as provided in section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin (c) The representative from the Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives
may fully participate in the advisory group's activities but may not vote on issues before
the group.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Advertising. new text end

new text begin The director of the Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Relatives, in consultation with the reward advisory group, may spend up to four percent of
available funds on an advertising or public relations campaign to increase public awareness
on the availability of rewards under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grants; donations. new text end

new text begin The director of the Office for Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Relatives, in consultation with the reward advisory group, may apply for and
accept grants and donations from the public and from public and private entities to implement
this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin As used in this section, "missing and murdered Indigenous relatives"
means missing and murdered Indigenous people from or descended from one of the United
States' federally recognized American Indian Tribes.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $110,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety to implement section 1.
new text end