Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.

Senator Cervantes' legislation establishing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program within California's Department of Justice creates a dedicated entity to coordinate investigations and support for cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people across the state.

The program serves as a liaison between tribal victims' families, tribal governments, and law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels for both active and inactive cases, including those involving human trafficking. It provides technical assistance to law enforcement agencies investigating these cases and maintains a database of case information and statistics. The Department of Justice will publish data about cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous persons in California where appropriate.

Through January 2028, the program must submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing its liaison and technical assistance activities, published case data, and analysis of coordination between local, state, and tribal governments. These reports will include recommendations for improving collaboration among jurisdictions in addressing cases of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in California. The program operates within the Department of Justice's existing budget and authority, requiring no additional appropriations.