REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE

MMAAW Task Force Report to the Legislature

MMAAW Task Force Report to the Legislature - Executive Summary

Letter from DPS Commissioner John Harrington

FINAL MMAAW TASK FORCE MEETING

On December 16^th, 2022 from 1-5 p.m. at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, the Task Force will be hosting their last meeting. 

After the Task Force meeting there will be a panel discussion led by Chair Lakeisha Lee for the Missing and Murdered African American Woman Task Force.

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​ABOUT

The Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force (MMAAW) was created during the 2021 Legislative Session to examine and report on:

• Systemic causes of violence against African American women and girls
  
• Appropriate methods of tracking and collecting data
• Policies, practices, and institutions that impact violence against African American women and girls
• Measures necessary to address and reduce violence against African American women and girls, and
  
• Measures necessary to help victims, their families,and their communities.

The role of the MMAAW Task Force is to advise the Commissioner of Public Safety on the issue of MMAAW, to report to the legislature on recommendations to reduce and end violence against African American women and girls in Minnesota, and to serve as a liaison between the commissioner and agencies and organizations that provide legal, social, and other community services to victims, victims' families, and victims' communities.

The MMAAW Taskforce is a first-in-the-nation initiative. 

TASK FORCE INFORMATION

Task Force Members​

Advisory Committee Members

Statutory authority: Minnesota Session Laws, 1st Special Session, Article 2, Chapter 50

Ceremonial signing by governor, November 29, 2021 - recording​

MEETINGS

BACKGROUND

The Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force (MMAAW) was created during the 2021 Legislative Session. The first of its kind in the nation, the MMAAW Task Force will examine and report on:

• Systemic causes of violence against African American women and girls Appropriate methods of tracking and collecting data 
• Policies, practices, and institutions that assist in perpetuation violence against African American women and girls 
• Measures necessary to address and reduce violence against African American women and girls, and
• Measures necessary to help victims, their families, and their communities.
  

PUBLIC COMMENT

The public is invited to submit written comments to the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force. These comments will be considered, along with other data collection, as the MMAAW Task Force develops recommendations, which will be included in a report to the Minnesota Legislature in December 2022. Comments should be directly related to the mandates of the MMAAW Task Force (shown above) and should provide clear recommendations that can be implemented by the Minnesota Legislature.

The public comment opportunity is not intended as a mechanism for persons to request assistance about their personal situations or cases. If you or someone you love has experienced an act of violence and is looking for help, resources, or justice, please check the following resources:

Minnesota Day One Line (1-866-223-1111)

Minnesota General Crime Victim Services Program

Survivor Resources

There are two options for submitting public comment  to the MMAAW Task Force: 

• Email comments using the guidelines in the MMAAW Task Force Public Comment Form, to researchsupport@researchinaction.com
  

• Present comments at the beginning of the MMAAW Task Force meetings on March 25, 2022, May 27, 2022, and July 29, 2022. Meetings start at 9 a.m.

Your comments will be sent to and collected by Research in Action (a contractor that is working with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety). Research in Action and DPS will compile public comments submitted through the online form and presented at Task Force meetings. The comments will assist in the preparation of recommendations for the Task Force's report to the Minnesota Legislature.

Submission deadline

Please submit all written comments via email to researchsupport@researchinaction.com by July 15, 2022. Public comment at MMAAW Task Force meetings concludes at the final meeting on July 29, 2022​.