Bill > HB1199

This bill establishes a Missing Indigenous People Task Force in North Dakota to address the critical issue of missing indigenous individuals. The task force will consist of representatives from various state agencies, tribal nations, and legislative bodies, with the primary goal of identifying and addressing jurisdictional barriers that impede the investigation and resolution of missing persons cases involving indigenous people. The bill requires the task force to meet quarterly and submit an annual report to the legislative management, detailing statistics such as the number of missing indigenous individuals, recovery rates, and demographic characteristics. A new missing person repository will be created to collect and track information, and a grant fund of $250,000 will be established to support tribal efforts in identifying, reporting, and finding missing indigenous people. The criminal justice data information sharing system will be updated to facilitate this work, with strict rules governing access to the system and protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information. The task force is also mandated to consult with federal agencies and develop strategies to improve interagency communication and collaboration. The bill is designed as an emergency measure and will remain in effect until July 31, 2035, after which it will expire, allowing for future review and potential renewal of these initiatives.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment, Military Affairs and Security

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1199.html