Missouri would require an office focused on African American women’s and girls’ safety

Missouri’s Department of Public Safety would establish and maintain the office. The office would address violence against African American women and girls, including links to trafficking and domestic violence. The public safety director would appoint a leader with close ties to the African American community and strong knowledge of criminal investigations. The office’s leader could hire and pay staff from available funds.

The office would collect case data, review cases, and arrange expert help for police during active investigations. The work would concern African American women and girls and include comparisons with other groups and identification of repeat offenders. Reviews would cover cold missing-person cases, suspicious deaths ruled suicide or overdose, and prosecution and sentencing in violent or exploitative crimes. Reports would include names and disappearance or death dates only to the extent that information is publicly available. The office would report to legislative public safety committee leaders by January 15 each year.

The office would award grants to community organizations for prevention, training, and assistance to victims and families. Eligible organizations would help prevent targeting of African American women and girls or assist victims. Grants could also support families of those missing or murdered. The fund would accept money approved by lawmakers, gifts, and grants. The proposal sets no funding amount. Money could be used only for the office’s authorized purposes. Unspent money and investment earnings would stay in the fund. Organizations would apply as the office requires and report annually on their services and the people served. The office would report to legislative public safety committees on grant recipients, amounts, and people served on or before February 1 each year.

The office’s director would have access to private or confidential medical and corrections records held by agencies. The access rule would cover information about individuals that agencies classify as private or confidential. Access would be limited to records needed for the office to carry out its duties.