Community Engagement Response Team funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 659 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to create a Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) in Rochester. The grant funds a nonprofit organization to hire community leaders and volunteers who will act as liaisons between law enforcement and the Black community. The team’s focus includes mediating conflicts, curating opportunities, and providing advocacy specifically for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. This direct funding mechanism aims to improve public safety through community-centered partnerships in Rochester.