SB22-150: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives

• Establishes the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIRR) within the Department of Public Safety to serve as a liaison for indigenous communities and improve investigations of cases involving missing or murdered indigenous persons.

• Director of the Office must be closely connected to a tribe or indigenous community and knowledgeable about criminal investigations, with the Executive Director encouraged to consider candidates recommended by tribes and indigenous communities.

• Requires the Department to develop best practices protocols for law enforcement response, conduct case reviews of cold cases and suspicious deaths, coordinate with tribal and federal agencies, and provide training on missing or murdered indigenous persons issues to law enforcement.

• Establishes a Community Volunteer Advisory Board comprised of 20+ members including representatives from indigenous-led organizations, the three federally recognized Colorado tribes, law enforcement, and indigenous victims/family members to advise the Office on areas of concern.

• Appropriates $497,250 to the Department of Public Safety for fiscal year 2022-23 and requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to operate a missing indigenous persons alert program and central database, with annual reporting to legislative committees and the Governor.