SB 1034 Summary

• Creates the African, Caribbean, and diaspora affairs commission with 15 members appointed by the governor with senate advice and consent, with members required to have expertise in fields including economics, law, education, health, technology, environment, community safety, arts, or media.

• Establishes the office of African, Caribbean, and diaspora affairs within the department of civil rights to implement commission policy and conduct studies on problems affecting African, Caribbean, and diaspora residents in education, employment, civil rights, health, housing, and related areas.

• Commission must adopt bylaws within 90 days of appointment, hold quarterly meetings, and review state programs and policies affecting African, Caribbean, and diaspora residents; commission has authority to make recommendations to governor and legislature on discrimination, racism, and equal access to education and services.

• Office shall serve as reporting agency for race- or ethnicity-based harassment incidents, review hiring and promotion practices of state agencies, examine educational institution curricula and admissions policies, and submit annual reports to governor, legislature, and affected communities.

• Creation of the office is contingent upon appropriation; commission and office shall coordinate with other state minority and ethnic affairs commissions.