This bill aims to enhance public safety and support for vulnerable populations in Minnesota by amending various sections of the Minnesota Statutes. It introduces protections for research data related to individuals, specifically defining "research" and allowing for data collection to advance knowledge in specific areas. The bill also establishes new subdivisions for the Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives and the Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls, ensuring that victim and family support data is governed by specific legal provisions. Additionally, it updates terminology throughout the statutes, replacing references to "battered women" with "domestic abuse victims" to modernize language and better reflect current understandings of domestic violence.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of a director within the Office of Justice Programs, focusing on domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. This director will advocate for victims' rights, increase public awareness, and coordinate resources to improve community responses. The bill also establishes a grant program to provide financial support to designated shelters for domestic abuse victims, ensuring that personal data collected remains private and that shelters are held accountable through structured grant payments. Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the legal framework surrounding domestic abuse and improve support for victims while enhancing the integrity of the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.69, 13.6905, 13.871, 116L.362, 119A.37, 142G.12, 142G.53, 203B.06, 203B.11, 256D.02, 256G.02, 257.75, 260E.02, 299A.85, 299A.90, 518B.02, 609.605, 609.7495, 611A.31, 629.72