Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a state office to investigate cases of missing and murdered black women and girls.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the commissioner of public safety to establish and maintain an office within the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs dedicated to preventing and ending the targeting of Black women and girls (Sec. 1).

• Defines the aforementioned office as the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls (Sec. 1).

• Specifies the office to have the following duties, including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):

• Advocating in legislature for bills that will facilitate the accomplishment of identified mandates;

• Advocate for state agencies to take action to facilitate the accomplishment of mandates;

• Develop recommendations for legislative and agency action to address injustices in the criminal justice systems;

• Facilitate research to refine the mandates in the report.

• Specifies that this bill shall become effective July 1, 2023 (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates $1.25 million for 2024 and $1.25 million for 2025 from the general fund for the operation of the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text