Statement on proposed state task force on missing/murdered African American women and girls

We are fully supportive of 2023 Assembly Bill 615 – legislation to create a task force on missing and murdered African American women and girls, established by the Attorney General. Under the bill, task force members must be knowledgeable in crime victims’ rights or violence protection, and the new body is to include legislative members, law enforcement agents, judicial or health services governmental agents, and representatives of state or local agencies that provide legal, advocacy, counseling, or other services to African American women and girls.

The bill – authored by State Rep. Shelia Stubbs – requires the task force to examine violence against African American women and girls to understand the root causes of the violence, determine appropriate ways of reducing harm and responding to acts of violence, and recommending actions that may assist individual survivors of violence and their communities. Under the bill, task force members are directed to seek the assistance and cooperation of individuals with academic expertise and those who have served as community advocates and organizers specializing in violence against African American women and girls, and to submit an annual report setting forth proposed policies and practices.

The Common Council has voted in support of the bill being part of the legislative package for the city’s Legislative Affairs Division lobbying priorities, and we believe this legislation and this effort are long overdue.

This legislation unanimously passed committee in both houses of the State Legislature and passed on the Assembly floor in February. However, the Senate companion bill (SB 568) has not been scheduled for a Senate floor date.

We strongly urge the Senate to schedule the bill for a final floor vote, one that would lead to the Governor almost certainly signing it into law.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.