Statutes
257.0755 OFFICE OF OMBUDSPERSON; CREATION; QUALIFICATIONS; FUNCTION.
Subdivision 1. Creation.
Each ombudsperson shall operate independently from but in collaboration with the community-specific board that appointed the ombudsperson under section 257.0768: the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.
Subd. 2. Selection; qualifications.
The ombudsperson for each community shall be selected by the applicable community-specific board established in section 257.0768. Each ombudsperson serves in the unclassified service at the pleasure of the community-specific board and may be removed only for just cause. Each ombudsperson must be selected without regard to political affiliation, and shall be a person highly competent and qualified to analyze questions of law, administration, and public policy regarding the protection and placement of children from families of color. In addition, the ombudsperson must be experienced in dealing with communities of color and knowledgeable about the needs of those communities. No individual may serve as ombudsperson while holding any other public office.
Subd. 3. Appropriation.
Money appropriated for each ombudsperson from the general fund or the special fund authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (o), is under the control of each ombudsperson for which it is appropriated.
257.0768 COMMUNITY-SPECIFIC BOARDS.
Subdivision 1. Membership.
Three community-specific boards are created. Each board consists of five members. The chair of each of the following groups shall appoint the board for the community represented by the group: the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs; the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage; and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans. In making appointments, the chair must consult with other members of the council.
Subd. 2. Compensation; chair.
Members do not receive compensation but are entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred.
Subd. 3. Meetings.
Each board shall meet regularly at the request of the appointing chair or the ombudsperson.
Subd. 4. Duties.
Each board shall appoint the ombudsperson for its community. Each board shall advise and assist the ombudsperson for its community in selecting matters for attention; developing policies, plans, and programs to carry out the ombudspersons' functions and powers; establishing protocols for working with the communities of color; developing procedures for the ombudspersons' use of the subpoena power to compel testimony and evidence from nonagency individuals; and making reports and recommendations for changes designed to improve standards of competence, efficiency, justice, and protection of rights.
Subd. 5. Terms, compensation, removal, and expiration.
The membership terms, compensation, and removal of members of each board and the filling of membership vacancies are governed by section 15.0575.
Subd. 6. Joint meetings.
The members of the three community-specific boards shall meet jointly at least four times each year to advise the ombudspersons on overall policies, plans, protocols, and programs for the office.
Additional Minnesota Statutes
CHAPTER 26oC. JUVENILE SAFETY AND PLACEMENT