ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HB 2570: study committee; murdered indigenous women.

PRIME SPONSOR: Representative Jermaine, LD 18

BILL STATUS: Health and Human Services

Overview

Establishes a study committee regarding missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

Provisions

1. Creates a study committee, regarding violence against indigenous women and girls, required to meet at least quarterly to do the following:

a. Determine how this state can reduce and end violence against indigenous women and girls in the state;

b. Establish methods for tracking and collecting data;

c. Review policies and practices for impact, such as child welfare;

d. Review trends and practices regarding prosecution;

e. Gather data;

f. Determine the number of missing and murdered individuals;

g. Identify barriers in providing more state resources;

h. Propose measures ensuring access to culturally appropriate victim services; and

i. Propose legislation to address issues identified by the study committee. (Sec. 1)

2. Establishes the committee must consist of the following members:

a. The chairpersons from the House of Representatives' and Senate's indigenous people caucuses or their designees;

i. The Senate member shall serve as the Chairperson; and

ii. The House member shall serve as the Vice Chairperson.

b. The attorney general or the attorney general's designee;

c. The director of the Department of Public Safety or designee;

d. The following members to be appointed by the governor:

i. From a county with a population of 850,000 or more:

Ø One county attorney; and

Ø One sheriff.

ii. From a county with a population less than 850,000:

Ø One county attorney; and

Ø One sheriff.

iii. One tribal government representative;

iv. One victim advocate;

v. One chief of police from a tribal police department;

vi. One peace officer, working and residing on a federally recognized American Indian reservation;

vii. Three members from a tribal, statewide or local organization consisting of the following:

Ø One social worker providing services;

Ø One representative providing counseling for individuals who have been victims of violence; and

Ø One representative providing legal services.

viii. All members of the indigenous peoples' caucus;

ix. One member who works with the Phoenix or Tucson Indian Center; and

x. One member who works with the Phoenix area Indian health services. (Sec. 1)

3. Prohibits committee members from receiving compensation, but members who are appointed by the governor are eligible for reimbursement of expenses. (Sec. 1)

4. Requires the committee submit a report regarding the activities and recommendations of the study committee for administrative or legislative action on or before November 1, 2019. (Sec. 1)

5. Repeals the committee October 1, 2020. (Sec. 1)

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Fifty-fourth Legislature                       HB 2570

First Regular Session                            Version 1: Health and Human Services

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