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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act See Fiscal Implications section below.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to Senate Bill 6 relates to House Bill 150 (see narrative in the Relationship section below).

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 6 appropriates three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) from the general fund to the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys to fund existing and new children's safe house programs.

Significant Issues

Experts from the safe house program conduct specialized interviews of children who are alleged victims of physical or sexual abuse. The interviews are multi-disciplinary in nature and are conducted by multiple agencies working together to ensure interviewed children are treated fairly and sensitively. The interviews are video recorded and provided to prosecutors as evidence to be used if criminal charges are filed. Programs throughout the state average a total of eight interviews per month.

Currently there are seven programs in the state. In addition to the funding received from the State of New Mexico, the programs also receive funding from the agencies to which they are attached and from other sources. The program also includes funding for the New Mexico Safe House Network Director, who conducts training and administers federal grants which benefit the seven programs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $300.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

House Bill 2 includes a $160.0 appropriation from the general fund to the Office of the District Attorneys for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to support the New Mexico Safe House Network. Additionally, House Bill 2 includes a $50.0 appropriation from the general fund to the Fifth Judicial District Attorney for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to support the New Mexico Safe House Network.

The additional appropriation of $300.0 included in Senate Bill 6 would bring the total amount for the New Mexico Safe House Network in fiscal year 2002 to $510.0.

RELATIONSHIP

Senate Bill 6 relates to House Bill 150. House Bill 150 makes an appropriation of $140.0 from the general fund to the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to fund existing and new children's safe house programs.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The bill language may be clarified to indicate whether the total amount appropriated is $300.0 or the difference between existing appropriations in HB2 and a desired funding level of $300.0

EB/ar