SB 22-150

Abstract

The act requires the department of public safety (department) to improve the investigation of missing and murdered indigenous relative cases and address injustice in the criminal justice system's response to the cases of missing and murdered indigenous relative cases. The act lists specific duties for the department, including assisting with missing indigenous persons investigations and homicide cases involving indigenous victims; coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and with other states regarding missing or murdered indigenous persons cases; developing and facilitating training related to missing and murdered indigenous persons issues; and providing assistance to families of victims. The executive director of the department (executive director) may assign the duties to the department's divisions and offices, including the office of liaison for missing and murdered indigenous relatives created in the act. The department must publish on a public website information regarding missing and murdered indigenous persons. The act creates the office of liaison for missing and murdered indigenous relatives (office) in the department to serve as a liaison on behalf of the indigenous community on issues related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives and carry out duties assigned by the executive director. In carrying out its duties, the office is required to collaborate with the Colorado commission of Indian affairs; federally recognized tribes; state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; and indigenous-led organizations. A community volunteer advisory board (board) is established in the office to identify and advise the office on areas of concern regarding missing or murdered indigenous relatives and issues of collaborative efforts related to missing or murdered indigenous relatives. The executive director of the department appoints members to the board. The act requires peace officers to receive training concerning issues relating to missing or murdered indigenous persons. The peace officer standards and training board must work with the office to develop and facilitate the training. The act requires the Colorado bureau of investigation (bureau) to work with the office and federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies for the efficient investigation of missing or murdered indigenous persons. The bureau must operate a clearinghouse database on missing indigenous persons from Colorado and prepare an annual report on information about missing or murdered indigenous persons. The bureau is required to operate a missing indigenous person alert program. The act requires a law enforcement agency that receives a report of a missing indigenous person to notify the bureau within 8 hours of a report of a missing adult or within 2 hours of a report of a missing child. The act appropriates $497,250 to the department of public safety to implement the act, of which $15,982 is reappropriated to the department of personnel to provide fleet vehicles for the department of public safety. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)