HF660

Purpose

• This bill would provide funding to create a Community Engagement Response Team in the Rochester area. Specifically, it would appropriate $250,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the commissioner of education to award a grant to a nonprofit organization. The goal is to establish a team that helps improve public safety by acting as a link between the Black community and law enforcement, while also supporting opportunities, solving problems, and advocating for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community.

Main Provisions

• Funding: Appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for FY2026.
• Administration: Funds a grant to a nonprofit organization, administered by the commissioner of education.
• Geography: Targeted for the Rochester area.
• Team composition: The Community Engagement Response Team must be made up of community leaders and volunteers.
• Roles and functions:
  • Improve public safety by serving as a liaison between the Black community and law enforcement.
  • Curate opportunities, mediate problems, and provide advocacy for the BIPOC community.

Implementation Details

• The bill identifies a specific use of funds (a grant to a nonprofit) and a concrete location (Rochester) to implement the program.
• It does not specify changes to other laws beyond creating this new funding and program structure.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new funded program under the education department to support a Community Engagement Response Team.
• Establishes a new mechanism for government-funded community-policing-related liaison work in the Rochester area through a nonprofit grant.
• In the text provided, there are no described changes to existing statutory language beyond establishing this appropriation and program.

Potential Impacts (what to expect)

• Increased collaboration between the Black community and law enforcement in Rochester.
• Potential for reduced tensions and improved problem-solving through community-based advocacy.
• A formal avenue for community leaders and volunteers to participate in public safety-related efforts.

Implementation Considerations (questions a reader might have)

• How will the nonprofit be selected, and what oversight will there be for the grant?
• What outcomes or metrics will be used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness?
• How will this model be sustained beyond FY2026 if successful?

Relevant Terms - appropriation - general fund - commissioner of education - grant - nonprofit organization - Community Engagement Response Team - Rochester area - community leaders - volunteers - public safety - liaison - Black community - law enforcement - curating opportunities - mediating problems - advocacy - Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) - fiscal year 2026