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Committee advances Senate File 472 to support ombudsperson for American Indian families
Summary
The committee recommended passage of Senate File 472 after testimony from the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families describing frequent removals of Native children, the office's limited budget and its role in court monitoring and tribal notice issues.
The committee recommended passage of Senate File 472 after hearing from the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families about frequent removals of American Indian children and obstacles the office faces in supporting families.
Miss Ash, the ombudsperson, told senators that "Minnesota is number 1 in the nation for the removal of American Indian children from their homes," and described the office's work observing court hearings, educating incarcerated parents and sending informational letters to judges when she believes Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) or other rules have not been followed. "Currently we are an agency of 1 and that's just me," she said.
The office, created in 2021, received a 2021 appropriation of $190,000 that covered the ombudsperson's salary, rent and…
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