Subd. 1. Creation.

The Minnesota crime victim and witness advisory council is established and shall consist of 16 members.

Subd. 2. Membership.

1. (a) The crime victim and witness advisory council shall consist of the following members, appointed by the commissioner of public safety after consulting with the commissioner of corrections:

   1. (1) one district court judge appointed upon recommendation of the chief justice of the supreme court;
   2. (2) one county attorney appointed upon recommendation of the Minnesota county attorneys association;
   3. (3) one public defender appointed upon recommendation of the state public defender;
   4. (4) one peace officer;
   5. (5) one medical or osteopathic physician licensed to practice in this state;
   6. (6) five members who are crime victims or crime victim assistance representatives;
   7. (7) three public members; and

   8. (8) one member appointed on recommendation of the Minnesota general crime victim coalition.

      The appointments should take into account sex, race, and geographic distribution. No more than seven of the members appointed under this paragraph may be of one gender. One of the nonlegislative members must be designated by the commissioner of public safety as chair of the council.

2. (b) Two members of the council shall be members of the legislature who have demonstrated expertise and interest in crime victims issues, one senator appointed under rules of the senate and one member of the house of representatives appointed under rules of the house of representatives.

Subd. 3. Terms of office.

Section 15.059 governs the terms of office, filling of vacancies, and removal of members of the crime victim and witness advisory council. Members are eligible for reappointment and appointment may be made to fill an unexpired term. The members of the council shall elect any additional officers necessary for the efficient discharge of their duties.

Subd. 4. Compensation.

Each member of the council shall serve without compensation. However, members of the council shall receive expenses in the same manner and amount as provided in the commissioner's plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 2; provided that payments for expenses incurred must be paid from the existing appropriation for the administrative portion of the operating budget for the crime victims reparations activity.

Subd. 5. Duties.

The council shall:

1. (1) review on a regular basis the treatment of victims by the criminal justice system and the need and availability of services to victims;
2. (2) advise the agency designated by the governor to apply for victim assistance program grants under chapter 14 of Public Law Number 98-473, in the coordination and allocation of federal funds for crime victims assistance programs;
3. (3) advocate necessary changes and monitor victim-related legislation;
4. (4) provide information, training, and technical assistance to state and local agencies and groups involved in victim and witness assistance;
5. (5) serve as a clearinghouse for information concerning victim and witness programs;
6. (6) develop guidelines for the implementation of victim and witness assistance programs and aid in the creation and development of programs;
7. (7) coordinate the development and implementation of policies and guidelines for the treatment of victims and witnesses, and the delivery of services to them;
8. (8) develop ongoing public awareness efforts and programs to assist victims; and
9. (9) administer the grant program described in section 611A.675.

Subd. 6. Executive director.

The commissioner of public safety shall, with the advice of the advisory council, select and employ an executive director for the council who shall serve in the unclassified service at the pleasure of the commissioner and shall aid the council in the performance of its duties under subdivision 5 and supervise the administration of the crime victims reparations act.

Subd. 7. Expiration.

The council expires on June 30, 2001.