MN HF1273

Creates the Office of the Ombudsperson for American Indian Families, operating independently but in collaboration with the Indian Affairs Council, to monitor agency compliance with child protection, placement, public education, and housing laws affecting American Indian children and families.

Establishes a five-member American Indian community-specific board appointed by the chair of the Indian Affairs Council to select the ombudsperson and provide oversight, with members meeting at least quarterly and eligible for reimbursement of expenses and per diem payments.

Grants the ombudsperson authority to investigate agency decisions and actions, access agency records, subpoena personnel and witnesses, make recommendations to agencies, and issue annual reports to the governor regarding child protection and placement services.

Modifies existing ombudsperson statutes to separate the American Indian ombudsperson from other community-specific ombudspersons, reducing the number of community-specific boards from four to three.

Allocates 25 percent of special fund money authorized under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (o), to the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families and requires transfer of remaining funds designated for this office from the Office of Ombudsperson for Families by end of fiscal year 2021.