FACTSHEET
SB23-054
MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES
OFFICE
This bill would allow easier access of criminal records from other law enforcement agencies and allow those records to be shared with families, as well as require better communication between the Office of Liaison for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Relatives and the families it is serving. The bill permits the office to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations in order to carry out the office's duties and to provide financial support to missing or murdered Indigenous relatives' families. It would also have victim advocates who serve as liaisons between the prosecutor or law enforcement and the victim or their family. These types of advocates are critical in the building of a case and supporting victims or their families in order to proceed in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
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Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) History:
In MMIR cases, there is a need to be sensitive to cultural norms and traditions in order to support families navigating their relative’s loss and/or trauma associated with their disappearance. There are historical layers of trauma that Indigenous families carry that need to be honored in the advocacy services they require. The root causes of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) include colonization and historical trauma, racism, and sexual objectification of Indigenous women and girls. Tribal-county-state relations and jurisdiction issues affect the investigation and prosecution of MMIW cases. Indigenous women get murdered and go missing at a higher rate than any other groups.
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GOAL#10:
REDUCE INEQUALITY WITHIN AND AMONG COUNTRIES
Target 10.3
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Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
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Target 10.4
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Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
This legislator introduced this bill. Feel free to thank them.
Prime Sponsor
Sen. J. Danielson, Rep. L. Garcia, Rep. E. Velasco
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Co-Sponsor
Sen. J. Buckner, Sen. J. Coleman, Sen. L. Cutter, Sen. T. Exum, Sen. R. Fields, Sen. J. Ginal, Sen. J. Gonzales, Sen. N. Hinrichsen, Sen. S. Jaquez Lewis, Sen. C. Kolker, Sen. J. Marchman, Sen. K. Priola, Sen. T. Sullivan, Sen. F. Winter
Next Step:
SB23-054 was introduced to the House on 4/14/2023 and assigned to the Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Comittee
These Committee members have not expressed their support yet. Ask them to support this bill.
mary.bradfield.house@coleg.gov
serena.gonzales-gutierrez.house@coleg.gov
richard.holtorf.house@coleg.gov
Colin Larson 303-866-2927
Naquetta.Ricks.house@coleg.gov
Dan Woog 303-866-2906
Email Example
To: Your Representative
Subject: Support SB23-054!
Hello,
My name is [insert your name] and I live in [your city/ZIP code].
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I am urging you to support SB23-054 because this legislation will improve the lives of many Colorado residents. The bill is designed to respond specifically to the requests of the indigenous community in a timely manner, and provide necessary support to the office of MMIR and its director in order to adequately support Indigenous families with missing and murdered loved ones.
Please advise me of the actions you intend to take with respect to this bill.
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Thanks for your attention.
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Best,
[insert your name]
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