SF 4141

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/22/2022 08:32am

A bill for an act
relating to juvenile justice; establishing Task Force on a Coordinated Approach
to Juvenile Wellness and Justice; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin TASK FORCE ON A COORDINATED APPROACH TO JUVENILE
WELLNESS AND JUSTICE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Task Force on a Coordinated Approach to Juvenile
Wellness and Justice is established to review the juvenile justice system in Minnesota,
examine approaches taken in other jurisdictions, and make policy and funding
recommendations to the legislature.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force consists of the following members:
new text end

new text begin (1) the chief justice or a designee;
new text end

new text begin (2) the state public defender or a designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) a county attorney appointed by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
new text end

new text begin (4) the warden of the Minnesota correctional facility for juveniles in Red Wing or a
designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) a representative from Indian health services or a Tribal Council appointed by the
Indian Affairs Council;
new text end

new text begin (6) a probation agent who supervises juveniles appointed by the Minnesota Association
of Community Correction Act Counties;
new text end

new text begin (7) a peace officer, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), appointed by the governor from a list of three candidates submitted jointly
by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, and
the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association;
new text end

new text begin (8) a high school principal appointed by the governor from a list of two candidates
submitted jointly by the commissioner of education and the executive director of Education
Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (9) a representative from a county social services agency that has responsibility for
public child welfare and child protection services, appointed by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (10) an individual who was the victim of an offense committed by a juvenile, appointed
by the governor;
new text end

new text begin (11) a representative from a community-driven nonprofit law firm that represents juveniles
in delinquency matters, appointed by the governor; and
new text end

new text begin (12) ten youths under age 25 with interest or experience in the juvenile justice, juvenile
protection, and foster systems.
new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent possible, the demographics of the public members identified in
paragraph (a), clause (12), must be inclusive and represent the ethnic and racial diversity
of the state, including gender and sexual orientation, immigrant status, and religious and
linguistic background.
new text end

new text begin (c) Appointments must be made no later than September 15, 2022.
new text end

new text begin (d) Public members identified in paragraph (a), clause (12), are eligible for compensation
and expense reimbursement consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision
3. All other members shall serve without compensation.
new text end

new text begin (e) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until
the task force expires. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority 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) At its first meeting, the members of the task force shall
elect cochairs of the task force, at least one of whom must be a public member identified
in paragraph (a), clause (12). The task force may elect other officers as necessary.
new text end

new text begin (b) The executive director of the Office of Justice Programs shall convene the first
meeting of the task force no later than October 15, 2022, and shall provide meeting space
and administrative assistance through the Office of Justice Programs as necessary for the
task force to conduct its work.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force shall meet at least monthly or upon the call of a cochair. 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 Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall, at a minimum:
new text end

new text begin (1) review Minnesota's juvenile justice system;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify areas of overlap and conflict between Minnesota's juvenile justice and
protection systems, including areas of collaboration and coordination, provision of duplicated
services, and any inconsistent expectations placed on juveniles;
new text end

new text begin (3) review alternative approaches to juvenile justice in Minnesota counties, Tribal
communities, and other states or jurisdictions;
new text end

new text begin (4) identify social, emotional, and developmental factors that contribute to delinquent
acts by juveniles;
new text end

new text begin (5) identify approaches to juvenile justice that involve the affected juvenile and address
any underlying factors that contribute to delinquent acts by juveniles;
new text end

new text begin (6) identify approaches to juvenile justice that hold juvenile offenders accountable to
victims and the community in ways that seek to strengthen the juvenile's connection to the
community; and
new text end

new text begin (7) make recommendations for community and legislative action to address juvenile
justice in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) At its discretion, the task force may examine other related issues consistent with this
section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2024, the task force shall submit a report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over public safety finance and policy, judiciary finance and
policy, human services finance and policy, and education finance and policy.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires the day after submitting its final report under
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TASK FORCE ON A COORDINATED APPROACH TO JUVENILE
WELLNESS AND JUSTICE; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of public safety to implement the Task Force on a Coordinated Approach to Juvenile Wellness
and Justice. The base for this appropriation is $75,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal
year 2025 and beyond.
new text end