Minnesota Agencies

The Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women is established to advise the commissioner of public safety 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 nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide legal, social, or other community services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities.

On or before December 15, 2022, 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. The report must contain the task force's findings and recommendations and shall include 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; recommendations for appropriate tracking and collecting of data on violence against African American women and girls; and recommendations for legislative action 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 commissioner of public safety 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. 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.

To accomplish its duties, the task force shall seek out and enlist the cooperation and assistance of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide legal, social, or other community services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities; 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. Meetings of the task force may include reports from, or information provided by, those individuals or groups.

The task force expires upon submission of the final report.

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 of public safety:

• two members of the senate, one appointed by the majority leader and one appointed by the minority leader;
• two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the minority leader;
• two representatives from among the following: the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association; the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; or the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association;
• one or more representatives from among the following: the Minnesota County Attorneys Association; the United States Attorney's Office; or a judge or attorney working in juvenile court;
• a county coroner or a representative from a statewide coroner's association or a representative of the Department of Health; and
• three or more representatives from among the following: a statewide or local organization that provides legal services to African American women and girls; a statewide or local organization that provides advocacy or counseling for African American women and girls who have been victims of violence; a statewide or local organization that provides services to African American women and girls; or an African American woman who is a survivor of gender violence.

In making appointments, the commissioner of public safety shall consult with the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage. Appointments to the task force must be made by September 1, 2021. The task force shall elect a chair and vice-chair and may elect other officers as necessary.