HF 952

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/09/2021 12:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African
American Women; requiring an annual report on issues related to violence against
African American women and girls; appropriating money for the Task Force on
Missing and Murdered African American Women.

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

Section 1. new text begin TASK FORCE ON MISSING AND MURDERED AFRICAN AMERICAN
WOMEN.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation and duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The Task Force on Missing and Murdered
African American Women is established to advise the commissioner of public safety and
report to the legislature on recommendations to reduce and end violence against African
American women and girls in Minnesota. The task force may also serve as a liaison between
the commissioner and agencies and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide
legal, social, or other community services to victims, victims' families, and victims'
communities.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women must examine
and report on the following:
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new text begin (1) the systemic causes behind violence that African American women and girls
experience, including patterns and underlying factors that explain why disproportionately
high levels of violence occur against African American women and girls, including
underlying historical, social, economic, institutional, and cultural factors which may
contribute to the violence;
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new text begin (2) appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against African
American women and girls, including data on missing and murdered African American
women and girls;
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new text begin (3) policies and institutions such as policing, child welfare, coroner practices, and other
governmental practices that impact violence against African American women and girls
and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender violence against African American
people;
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new text begin (4) measures necessary to address and reduce violence against African American women
and girls; and
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new text begin (5) measures to help victims, victims' families, and victims' communities prevent and
heal from violence that occurs against African American women and girls.
new text end

new text begin (c) At its discretion, the task force may examine other related issues consistent with this
section as necessary.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) To the extent practicable, the Task Force on Missing and
Murdered African American Women shall consist of the following individuals, or their
designees, who are knowledgeable in crime victims' rights or violence protection and, unless
otherwise specified, members shall be appointed by the commissioner of public safety:
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new text begin (1) two members of the senate, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed
by the minority leader;
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader;
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new text begin (3) two representatives from among the following:
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new text begin (i) the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association;
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new text begin (ii) the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association;
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new text begin (iii) the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; or
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new text begin (iv) the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association;
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new text begin (4) one or more representatives from among the following:
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new text begin (i) the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
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new text begin (ii) the United States Attorney's Office; or
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new text begin (iii) a judge or attorney working in juvenile court;
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new text begin (5) a county coroner or a representative from a statewide coroner's association or a
representative of the Department of Health; and
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new text begin (6) three or more representatives from among the following:
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new text begin (i) a statewide or local organization that provides legal services to African American
women and girls;
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new text begin (ii) a statewide or local organization that provides advocacy or counseling for African
American women and girls who have been victims of violence;
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new text begin (iii) a statewide or local organization that provides services to African American women
and girls; or
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new text begin (iv) an African American woman who is a survivor of gender violence.
new text end

new text begin (b) In making appointments under paragraph (a), the commissioner of public safety shall
consult with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage.
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new text begin (c) Appointments to the task force must be made by September 1, 2021.
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new text begin (d) Members are eligible for compensation and expense reimbursement consistent with
Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
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new text begin (e) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until
the task force expires. Vacancies in commissioner-appointed positions shall be filled by the
commissioner consistent with the qualifications of the vacating member required by this
subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall elect a chair and vice-chair and
may elect other officers as necessary.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of public safety shall convene the first meeting of the task force
no later than October 1, 2021, and shall provide meeting space and administrative assistance
as necessary for the task force to conduct its work.
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new text begin (c) The task force shall meet at least quarterly, or upon the call of its chair, and may
hold meetings throughout the state. The task force shall meet sufficiently enough to
accomplish the tasks identified in this section. Meetings of the task force are subject to
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin (d) To accomplish its duties, the task force shall seek out and enlist the cooperation and
assistance of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide legal, social, or other
community services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities; community
and advocacy organizations working with the African American community; and academic
researchers and experts, specifically those specializing in violence against African American
women and girls, those representing diverse communities disproportionately affected by
violence against women and girls, or those focusing on issues related to gender violence
and violence against African American women and girls. Meetings of the task force may
include reports from, or information provided by, those individuals or groups.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin On or before December 15, 2022, the task force shall report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
public safety, human services, and state government on the work of the task force. The
report must contain the task force's findings and recommendations and shall include
institutional policies and practices, or proposed institutional policies and practices, that are
effective in reducing gender violence and increasing the safety of African American women
and girls; recommendations for appropriate tracking and collecting of data on violence
against African American women and girls; and recommendations for legislative action to
reduce and end violence against African American women and girls and help victims and
communities heal from gender violence and violence against African American women and
girls.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires upon submission of the report required
under subdivision 4.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
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Sec. 2. new text begin FUNDING FOR THE TASK FORCE ON MISSING AND MURDERED
AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
public safety to implement the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American
Women under section 1.
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