HF 4340

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/17/2022 02:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to judiciary; establishing the trauma-informed jury selection pilot project;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TRAUMA-INFORMED JURY SELECTION PILOT PROJECT.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin As used in this section, "trauma-informed" means recognizing
a person's history of severe mental or physical harms and stresses and responding to that
history by promoting a safe and empowering environment.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The supreme court shall establish a trauma-informed jury
selection project in ..... County, ..... County, and ..... County to identify and implement
trauma-informed procedures and practices to prepare jurors for potentially difficult
experiences, reduce the likelihood of retraumatization, ameliorate stress and trauma triggered
in the jury selection process, and ensure a fair and impartial jury.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program components. new text end

new text begin (a) The supreme court, in consultation with the senior
judge in each participating county, shall appoint a steering committee to guide the
trauma-informed jury selection pilot project. The steering committee shall consist of the
following individuals who work primarily or largely in the county in which the pilot project
is being implemented:
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new text begin (1) a judge;
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new text begin (2) a representative from the office of the county attorney;
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new text begin (3) a representative from a city attorney's office;
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new text begin (4) a public defender;
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new text begin (5) a private defense attorney;
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new text begin (6) an attorney who primarily represents plaintiffs in civil suits;
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new text begin (7) an attorney who primarily represents defendants in civil suits;
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new text begin (8) a representative from an organization that provides support services to victims; and
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new text begin (9) a person who has served on a jury.
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new text begin (b) The steering committee shall develop and implement procedures to:
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new text begin (1) expand the information given in the jury summons to prepare jurors for potentially
difficult experiences;
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new text begin (2) examine and change jury orientation, jury questionnaires, and voir dire to reduce the
likelihood of retraumatization; and
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new text begin (3) provide support to ameliorate stress and trauma triggered in the jury selection process.
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new text begin (c) Policies and procedures implemented by the steering committee shall prioritize
providing a fair and impartial jury for every trial.
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new text begin (d) The steering committee shall use surveys, interviews, or other conversations to solicit
feedback from individuals who received a summons, jurors who served, judges, prosecutors,
defense attorneys, and civil attorneys on the impact of the policies and procedures that were
implemented.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2024, the counties participating in the pilot project
authorized under this section shall report to the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over judiciary finance and policy on:
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new text begin (1) the policies and procedures implemented by the pilot project steering committees;
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new text begin (2) the impact, if any, on individuals responding to a jury summons;
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new text begin (3) the impact, if any, on the jury selection process; and
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new text begin (4) input from individuals who received a jury summons, jurors who served, judges,
prosecutors, defense attorneys, and civil attorneys on the impact of the policies and
procedures that were implemented.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The pilot project under this section expires June 30, 2024.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
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Sec. 2. new text begin TRAUMA-INFORMED JURY SELECTION; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the supreme court to
enact and support the trauma-informed jury selection pilot project. The base for this
appropriation is $0 in fiscal year 2025 and beyond.
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