SENATE BILL 873

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Michael S. Sanchez

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A TWO-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY ABUSIVE YOUTH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 for sixty therapists already working at department-of-health-funded community mental health centers, rape crisis centers and youth violence prevention agencies as well as similar organizations in the Native American community to attend a two-week training program and earn credentials for the treatment of sexually abusive youth. Each agency that provides adolescent sex offender therapy shall be encouraged to send a therapist to the two-week training program, and therapists who undergo the training shall be required to sign a contract to continue their existing work for one year following certification. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.

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