What does SB151 Do?

- Establish TWO POSITIONS in the Department of Public Safety to investigate cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons and act as liaisons between law enforcement agencies, communities in the state, and federally recognized tribes.

- Establishes the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission. The purpose is for the commission to review unresolved cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons from different state regions that are identified by the Department of Public Safety to

(1) Examine the trends and patterns related to missing and murdered indigenous persons; and

(2) Make policy, practice, and service recommendations to encourage collaboration and reduce cases involving indigenous persons.

- REPORT ON INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES.

The Department of Public Safety shall conduct a needs assessment to determine how to increase protective and investigative resources for identifying and reporting cases of missing and murdered indigenous persons within the state criminal justice system. The department shall work with the governor's office to convene meetings with tribal and local law enforcement agencies, federally recognized tribes, and Alaska Native organizations to determine the scope of the issue, identify barriers, and determine methods for creating partnerships to increase reporting and investigation of cases involving missing and murdered indigenous persons. The department shall conduct its work with tribal entities based on the state's government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes in the state. The department shall also work with federal law enforcement agencies to identify ways to increase information sharing and coordinate resources.