(2) The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement is under the supervision and control of a director, who is responsible for the performance of the duties, functions and powers of the office. The director shall be chosen through an open hiring process. In addition to the director, the office shall include at least the following full-time staff members:
(a) One staff member who focuses on community partnerships;
(b) One staff member who focuses on data collection and research; and
(c) One staff member who focuses on administrative support for the office.
(3) The office shall:
(a) Advocate for and partner with statewide immigrant and refugee programs and services that coordinate with long-term support services to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee populations in this state;
(b) Collect data on immigrant and refugee populations in this state for the purposes of determining the needs of the populations and tracking progress in reducing social, economic and health disparities for the populations;
(c) Monitor and protect data collected under this subsection and ensure that any data collected and maintained by the office is not disclosed to any person or entity not affiliated with the office;
(d) Track state legislation that impacts immigrant and refugee populations in this state;
(e) Ensure that any racial and ethnic impact statements for legislation accurately include the impact to immigrants and refugees in this state who are individuals who are Black, indigenous or other people of color;
(f) Advocate for resources from the federal government to support the immigrant and refugee populations;
(g) Monitor and, unless prohibited by federal or state law or rule, publish any investments made by the state for the benefit and support of the immigrant and refugee populations;
(h) Partner with other state agencies as needed to meet the objectives of the office;
(i) Partner with community-based organizations as needed to meet the objectives of the office; and
(j) Adopt rules as necessary to carry out this section. [2021 c.594 §1]