Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to support the judiciary system in Minnesota by providing funding for forensic navigator services across the state's ten judicial districts.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill mandates the allocation of funds from the general fund to the Minnesota Supreme Court specifically for the provision of forensic navigator services. This appropriation covers the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

• Distribution Based on Population: The allocation of funds to each judicial district is primarily determined by the population of each district as reported in the most recent United States Census data.

• Consideration of Specific Needs: In addition to population considerations, the Supreme Court is instructed to take into account unique needs within each district. This includes assessing disparities in existing resources, travel time and costs for navigators, particularly in rural areas, and the necessity for video technology to facilitate remote hearings.

Significant Changes

This bill introduces a structured financial plan to ensure that forensic navigator services are adequately funded and distributed based on objective criteria like population and specific needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Relevant Terms

• Forensic navigator services
• Judicial districts
• Appropriation
• Population-based allocation
• Disparities in resources
• Travel time and costs
• Remote hearings
• Video technology