House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous persons in Montana by revising the structure and responsibilities of the Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force. The bill proposes the establishment of an advisory council, which will replace the previous task force, and will be supported administratively by the Department of Justice. This new council will consist of members appointed by the attorney general, including representatives from various state and tribal agencies. Its primary responsibilities will include identifying jurisdictional barriers, recommending strategies to address the issue, and improving interagency communication. The council is also tasked with preparing an annual report on its findings and recommendations.

In addition to restructuring the task force, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to improve reporting requirements and accountability. Notably, it specifies that reports to the state-tribal relations committee will now include updates from the new advisory council, replacing the previous task force designation. The bill also introduces the "Looping in Native Communities Network Grant Program," aimed at supporting Montana tribes in identifying and reporting missing Native American individuals. This program will provide competitive grants for tribal entities to establish a central administration point for the network, with specific criteria for grant applications. Furthermore, the Secretary of State is mandated to notify each federally recognized tribal government in Montana about the new act, ensuring that Indigenous communities are informed and engaged in the legislative process.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-11-222, 44-2-411, 44-2-412
HB0545_1(1): 5-11-222, 44-2-411, 44-2-412
HB0545_1(2): 5-11-222, 44-2-411, 44-2-412
HB0545_1: 5-11-222, 44-2-411, 44-2-412