Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to provide financial resources for forensic navigator services within Minnesota's judicial system. These services are intended to support defendants with mental health issues as they navigate the legal process.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill allocates money from the general fund for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• Distribution of Funds: Funds are to be distributed to the supreme court and then allocated to each of the ten judicial districts in Minnesota. The distribution will consider population size based on the most recent census data.
• Consideration of Needs: The bill allows for additional considerations in fund distribution, such as the unique needs of each district, including resource disparities, travel time and costs in rural areas, and the availability of video technology for remote hearings.

Significant Changes

This bill introduces specific funding dedicated to forensic navigator services within the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of considering population data and district-specific needs when distributing these funds.

Relevant Terms

• Forensic navigator services
• Judicial districts
• Supreme court
• Appropriation of funds
• Census data
• Rural areas
• Remote hearings