Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to allocate state funds for forensic navigator services across Minnesota's ten judicial districts.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocations: The bill proposes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund.
• Distribution Criteria: Funds will be distributed based on each district's population according to the latest United States census data. Additional considerations may include specific district needs, such as current resource disparities, travel time and costs in rural areas, and the use of video technology for remote hearings.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a new funding initiative specifically for forensic navigator services, which did not receive dedicated appropriations prior to this legislation.

Relevant Terms

• forensic navigator services
• general fund
• judicial districts
• United States census data
• resource disparities
• remote hearings