MN SF2485

Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission executive director must conduct a study of racial disparity in sentencing recommendations made by county attorneys and public defenders.

County attorney and public defender offices must provide racial data on sentencing recommendations for each defendant they represent to support the study.

Study must examine factors influencing sentence negotiations, discretionary use in sentencing decisions, policies affecting recommendations, and other variables related to racial disparities in sentencing.

Commissioner of Corrections must study the efficacy and access of reentry services, expungement processes, and culturally competent treatment programs for minority offenders, with recommendations to reduce recidivism.

Both the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and Corrections Commissioner must submit reports to relevant legislative committees by December 31, 2014.