A. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall coordinate with the United States Attorney's Office and the United States Department of Justice to obtain federal funding by January 1, 2022, to coordinate efforts and gather data to address the issue of missing and murdered indigenous persons in the State of Oklahoma. The Bureau shall seek and apply for any applicable federal grants and may coordinate with private entities to obtain funding or fulfill grant requirements.
B. Upon securing federal funding, the Bureau shall create an Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. Any individual hired within the Office shall have significant experience working with tribal communities. Subject to available funding, the Office shall include a missing persons specialist.
C. The Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons shall:
1. Work with state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies on missing persons and homicide cases involving American Indian individuals;
2. Develop a best practices protocol for law enforcement response to missing persons reports involving American Indian individuals;
3. Assist families, tribal agencies and nongovernmental entities in using the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and other resources;
4. Provide guidance to victims' families with navigating state and federal district court cases;
5. Coordinate with other state offices including, but not limited to, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, agency tribal liaisons and the Secretary of Native American Affairs to develop training and education on missing and murdered indigenous persons issues and the state-tribal government-to-government relationship;
6. Facilitate trainings for law enforcement and members of the public on issues relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons; and
7. Consult with community organizations that serve indigenous populations to promote community relations and develop best practices.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 82, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.