WHEREAS, Arizona is home to 22 federally-recognized tribal nations and has the third largest Native American population in the United States; and 

WHEREAS, the 2020 statewide report on Reducing Missing and Murdered Women and Girls found that murders of Indigenous People in Arizona have been steadily increasing over the past 40 years and that Indigenous women and girls are at the highest risk of victimization; and

WHEREAS, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, family violence, stalking, and sex trafficking impacts children, families, and entire communities in profound ways and survivors need access to culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed services to assist with the coping and healing process; and

WHEREAS, a core responsibility of any government is the safety and protection of its people; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 report from the Study Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples included a recommendation to create a Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force; and

WHEREAS, it is clear that there is an urgent need to address this crisis through an interdisciplinary response in close partnership with tribes and nations.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Arizona Constitution and the laws of this State, hereby order and direct as follows:

1. The Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (The “Task Force”) is created to: 

1. Collaborate with state, federal and tribal agencies to address the recommendations of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Study Committee, which aim to reduce and end violence against Indigenous People in Arizona;

2. Consult with tribal governments on the scope and the nature of the issues associated with missing and murdered Indigenous People and gather data on the prevalence and contextual characteristics of violence against Indigenous People;

3. Work with law enforcement and tribal governments to continue to track and collect data on violence against Indigenous People, including data on missing and murdered Indigenous People;

4. Review policies and practices that impact violence against Indigenous People, such as child welfare policies and practices;

5. Evaluate prosecutorial trends and practices relating to crimes of gender violence against Indigenous People;

6. Recommend measures to ensure access to culturally appropriate victim services for Indigenous People who have been victims of violence;

7. Gather information to understand the lived experiences among Indigenous People surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous People in an effort to ensure that policy recommendations are culturally accurate;

8. Examine the practices of licensed and unlicensed public and private rehabilitation and sober living homes and propose recommendations;

9. Work with the Attorney General’s Office and relevant entities to formulate effective programs and identify sustainable funding sources. 

2. The Task Force shall be comprised of the following members who are appointed by and serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Governor:

1. One member of the Arizona State Senate;

2. One member of the Arizona State House of Representatives;

3. The Attorney General of Arizona or their designee;

4. The Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety or their designee;

5. Two representatives from Tribal Nations located in Arizona;

6. One Attorney General or judge from a Tribal Nation located in Arizona;

7. One law enforcement professional from a county in Arizona;

8. Five members of the public who have a background in victim advocacy, legal services, or health services.

9. Such other members as the Governor shall determine are appropriate.
    

3. The Governor shall select the Chair of the Task Force.

4. The Task Force shall prepare and submit to the Governor a report of their activities with recommendations for administrative or legislative action on or before December 1 each year from 2023-2026. 

5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon signature.