HF 4273

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 05/02/2018 03:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating the Task Force on Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women; requiring an annual report on issues related to violence against
indigenous women and girls; appropriating money for the Task Force on Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women; 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.90] TASK FORCE ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS
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) By September 1, 2018, the commissioner, in
consultation with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, shall appoint members to the Task
Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to advise the commissioner and report
to the legislature on recommendations to reduce and end violence against indigenous women
and girls in Minnesota. The task force shall also serve as a liaison between the commissioner
and agencies and nongovernmental organizations that provide services to victims, victims'
families, and victims' communities. The members must receive expense reimbursement as
specified in section 15.059.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women must examine and
report on the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the systemic causes behind violence that indigenous women and girls experience,
including patterns and underlying factors that explain why higher levels of violence occur
against indigenous women and girls, including underlying historical, social, economic,
institutional, and cultural factors which may contribute to the violence;
new text end

new text begin (2) appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against indigenous
women and girls, including data on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls;
new text end

new text begin (3) policies and institutions such as policing, child welfare, coroner practices, and other
governmental practices that impact violence against indigenous women and girls and the
investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender violence against indigenous people;
new text end

new text begin (4) measures necessary to address and reduce violence against indigenous women and
girls; and
new text end

new text begin (5) measures to help victims, victim's families, and victim's communities to prevent and
heal from violence that occurs against indigenous women and girls.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this section, "commissioner" means the commissioner of public
safety and "nongovernmental organizations" means nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations
that provide legal, social, or other community services.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin To the extent possible, the Task Force on Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women shall consist of the following individuals, or their designees, who are
knowledgeable in crime victims' rights or violence protection:
new text end

new text begin (1) a representative from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association;
new text end

new text begin (2) a representative of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension;
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new text begin (3) a representative of the United States Attorney's Office;
new text end

new text begin (4) a peace officer who works and resides in the seven-county metropolitan area,
composed of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties;
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new text begin (5) a peace officer who works and resides in the nonmetropolitan area;
new text end

new text begin (6) two peace officers who work for and reside on a federally recognized American
Indian reservation in Minnesota;
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new text begin (7) a county attorney or representative from the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
new text end

new text begin (8) a judge or attorney working in juvenile court;
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new text begin (9) a representative from an Indian health organization or agency;
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new text begin (10) a county coroner or a representative from a statewide coroner's association;
new text end

new text begin (11) a representative of the Department of Health;
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new text begin (12) four or more representatives for tribal governments, with a focus on individuals
who work with victims of violence or their families;
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new text begin (13) two or more representatives from nongovernmental organizations, community
volunteers, or advocacy organizations, who should include representatives from organizations
working inside the seven-county metropolitan area, outside the seven-county metropolitan
area, and on reservations, and may include:
new text end

new text begin (i) a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides legal services to indigenous
women and girls;
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new text begin (ii) a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides advocacy or counseling for
indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) a tribal, statewide, or local organization that provides services to indigenous women
and girls;
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new text begin (14) a representative from the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition;
new text end

new text begin (15) a representative from Mending the Sacred Hoop; and
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new text begin (16) two indigenous women who are survivors of gender violence.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end

new text begin The task force shall annually elect a chair and vice-chair
from among its members, and may elect other officers as necessary. The task force shall
meet at least quarterly, or upon the call of its chair. The task force shall meet sufficiently
enough to accomplish the tasks identified in this section. The task force shall seek out and
enlist the cooperation and assistance of nongovernmental organizations, community and
advocacy organizations working with the American Indian community, and academic
researchers and experts, specifically those specializing in violence against indigenous women
and girls, representing diverse communities disproportionately affected by violence against
women and girls, or focusing on issues related to gender violence and violence against
indigenous women and girls.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The task force shall annually report to the chairs and ranking members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over public safety, human services, and state
government on the work of the task force, including but not limited to the issues to be
examined in subdivision 1, and shall include in the annual report institutional policies and
practices or proposed institutional policies and practices that are effective in reducing gender
violence and increasing the safety of indigenous women and girls. The report shall include
recommendations to reduce and end violence against indigenous women and girls and help
victims and communities heal from gender violence and violence against indigenous women
and girls. The first annual report shall be submitted to the legislative committees on February
15, 2019, and on February 15 each year after.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 15.059, the task force expires June 30,
2024.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin FUNDING FOR THE TASK FORCE ON MISSING AND MURDERED
INDIGENOUS WOMEN; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
public safety to implement Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.90, relating to the Task Force
on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
new text end