HOUSE BILL 573

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Doreen Y. Gallegos

AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILD CRIME VICTIMS; CREATING THE CHILD CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCACY FUND; SETTING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. COURT FEES--DEPOSIT IN CHILD CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCACY FUND.--

          A. In addition to any other fees collected in the district court, metropolitan court and magistrate court, those courts shall assess and collect from a person convicted of a penalty assessment misdemeanor, traffic violation, petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor or felony offense a child crime victims advocacy fee of two dollars ($2.00).

          B. Child crime victims advocacy fees shall be deposited in the child crime victims advocacy fund.

     SECTION 2. CHILD CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCACY FUND CREATED--APPROPRIATION--PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.--

          A. The "child crime victims advocacy fund" is created in the state treasury. All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of this act shall be transmitted monthly to the department of finance and administration for credit to the child crime victims advocacy fund.

          B. Balances in the child crime victims advocacy fund are appropriated to the administrative office of the district attorneys to provide funds to child crime victims advocacy programs to defray the cost of providing treatment or intervention to children who are victims of crime. Unexpended or unencumbered balances remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

          C. Payments out of the child crime victims advocacy fund shall be made pursuant to vouchers issued and signed by the director of the administrative office of the district attorneys upon warrants drawn by the department of finance and administration.

          D. In order to be eligible for money from the child crime victims advocacy fund, a child crime victims advocacy program shall include the following components:

                (1) use of a safe house to provide a secure environment for a child;

                (2) an initial assessment to determine if a child who is the victim of a crime will benefit from participation in the program;

                (3) the use of forensic interviewers;

                (4) personnel trained as advocates for child victims of crimes; and

                (5) the use of multidisciplinary teams, including forensic interviewers, law enforcement, child protective services, mental health services, medical professionals and victim advocacy services.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2013.

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