SF 1118

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 08/05/2021 10:07am

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) By September 1, 2021, the commissioner, in
consultation with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, shall appoint members
to the Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women to advise the
commissioner 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 nongovernmental organizations that
provide services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities. Task force members
may receive expense reimbursement as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059,
subdivision 6.
new text end

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

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;
new text end

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;
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 African American women and girls
and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender violence against African American
people;
new text end

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

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) 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 (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:
new text end

new text begin (1) two members of the senate, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed
by the minority leader;
new text end

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;
new text end

new text begin (3) two representatives from among the following:
new text end

new text begin (i) the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association;
new text end

new text begin (4) one or more representatives from among the following:
new text end

new text begin (i) the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the United States Attorney's Office; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) a judge or attorney working in juvenile court;
new text end

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
new text end

new text begin (6) three or more representatives from among the following:
new text end

new text begin (i) a statewide or local organization that provides legal services to African American
women and girls;
new text end

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;
new text end

new text begin (iii) a statewide or local organization that provides services to African American women
and girls; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) an African American woman who is a survivor of gender violence.
new text end

new text begin (b) 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force members shall annually elect a chair
and vice-chair from among the task force's members, and may elect other officers as
necessary. 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. The task force shall seek out and enlist the cooperation
and assistance of nongovernmental organizations; 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.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner 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.
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 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, including but not limited to the issues to be
examined in subdivision 1, and shall include in the report 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. The report shall include
recommendations 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. The report shall be submitted to the legislative committees by
December 15, 2022.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, the task force
expires December 31, 2022.
new text end

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

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.
new text end