as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 05/15/2021 08:15am
A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing the Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery
Program; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 145.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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This section shall be known as the Emmett Louis Till Victims
Recovery Program.
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(a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision
have the meanings given them.
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(b) "Act" means a civil action or verified charge against an agent in public service under
investigation or proceedings for an equal protection violation under sections 363A.08 to
363A.19.
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(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.
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(d) "Health and wellness" means the physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual or faith-based
needs of a victim.
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The commissioner shall establish the Emmett Louis Till
Victims Recovery Program to address the health and wellness needs of victims of a
government-sponsored equal protection violation and the victims' families and heirs by
confronting historical trauma that families experience through government-sponsored equal
protection violations.
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(a) The commissioner, in
consultation with the commissioner of human rights, ethnic councils and commissions, and
civil rights organizations, shall establish a program to provide:
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(1) health and wellness services;
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(2) remembrance and legacy preservation;
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(3) cultural awareness;
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(4) spiritual and faith-based support; and
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(5) community resources and services to promote healing for victims of trauma covered
by this section.
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(b) To the extent funds are available, the commissioner shall award competitive grants
to eligible applicants for projects directed at the areas specified in paragraph (a). The projects
must be community-based and include methods to improve public awareness of trauma
arising from equal protection violations by government officials.
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The commissioner shall submit an annual report by January 15 each
year on the results of the program to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care. The findings and recommendations
in the report shall:
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(1) summarize the services offered to participants;
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(2) assess the need for continuing services to participants; and
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(3) evaluate the program goals and outcomes.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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