Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on funding or what happens after reporting requirements end.

Program for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

This law establishes a program within the Department of Justice to assist in finding missing or murdered Indigenous people, improve communication between agencies, and report on these cases annually until January 1, 2029.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program inside the Department of Justice.
• Facilitates collaboration and acts as a liaison between tribal victims’ families, tribal governments, and federal, tribal, state, and out-of-state law enforcement agencies regarding cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous people in California.
• Requires the program to submit an annual report containing data on cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous persons until January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

• Families of missing or murdered Indigenous people
• Tribal governments and law enforcement agencies

Terms To Know

Indigenous People

Native American tribes and other original inhabitants of a region.

Department of Justice

A government agency that handles legal matters and enforces laws.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the funding for the program.
• It is unclear what happens to reporting requirements after January 1, 2029.

Official Summary Text

SB 891, as introduced, Cervantes.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.
Existing law establishes the Department of Justice, and makes the department responsible, in part, for overseeing statewide criminal justice programs.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance to local law enforcement agencies and tribal governments relating to, among other things, providing guidance for law enforcement education and training on policing and criminal investigations on Indian lands, providing guidance on improving crime reporting, crime statistics, criminal procedures, and investigative tools, and facilitating and supporting improved communication between local law enforcement agencies and tribal governments.
This bill would establish a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program within and under
the discretion of the Department of Justice. The bill would impose specified responsibilities on the program, including facilitating collaboration and acting as a liaison between tribal victims’ families, tribal governments, and federal, tribal, state, and out-of-state law enforcement agencies, where appropriate, regarding active and inactive cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons in California, including cases involving human trafficking. The bill, until January 1, 2029, would require the program to submit an annual report to both houses of the Legislature containing, among other things, data on the number of, and facts about, cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons in California.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF