44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO CHILDREN; CREATING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY METHODS TO DIVERT CHILDREN FROM A LIFE OF CRIME; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

Section 1. TASK FORCE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES--APPROPRIATION.--

A. There is created, under the direction of the department of health, a task force for the purpose of studying and recommending to the legislature programs that serve to divert children from a life of crime.

B. The task force shall include two representatives from the state department of public education; one from the children, youth and families department; one from the department of health; one from the human services department; a designee appointed by the supreme court; a representative of the county maternal and child health planning council as provided for in the County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act; three public members from interested child-oriented organizations; and a law enforcement representative. All task force members shall be appointed by the secretary of health.

C. The task force shall examine programs providing opportunities to divert children from a life of crime, including:

(1) home visits by child-care professionals starting before birth and continuing for the first two years of a child's life;

(2) training for parents and therapy for families with school-age children who have exhibited inappropriate aggression or otherwise demonstrated unhealthy behavior in school;

(3) creating incentives, including cash, to induce disadvantaged students to complete their education; and

(4) monitoring and supervising youth who have exhibited delinquent behavior.

D. The task force shall make a preliminary progress report to the legislative education study committee, the legislative finance committee and the interim legislative health and human services committee, at their respective November 1999 meetings, and present its final report, including legislative recommendations, to the same committees by October 15, 2000.

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thirty-five thousand dollars ($135,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 to support the work of the task force created in Section 1 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.