NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to Senate Bill 51.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Health(DOH)

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys(ADA)

Criminal and Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (CJJCC)

Office of Indian Affairs (OIA)

Juvenile Parole Board JPB)

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis

House Bill 102 appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2002. The bill directs the Department of Public Safety to contract for the operation of a statewide program by a law enforcement agency that provides recreational, educational, and cultural activities for "at-risk" youth and their families. In addition, the program is to be conducted for at-risk youth and families who reside on Indian reservations and pueblos. The bill would require that an evaluation of the program's effectiveness be conducted by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Social Research.

Significant Issues

There is demonstrated need for programs directed to youth and their families at-risk. Risk factor data related to youth ages 15 - 24 reflect serious problems. The U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice have identified the importance of partnerships with local law enforcement agencies. Roles for law enforcement have varied from School Resource Offices to after-school mentoring programs.

HB 102 would fund a statewide program. According to the Department of Health, the evaluation component would require a large portion of a relatively small grant be directed to pay for an evaluation and not for direct services to New Mexico families

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $300.0 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DPS has indicated that HB 102 will require additional FTEs to develop, monitor and manage the at-risk youth program.

RELATIONSHIP

HB relates to SB 51which appropriates $ 242,000 for at- risk youth services in the South Broadway area.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The need for programs directed to all youth, particularly those who engage in at-risk behaviors, is clearly demonstrated by the data. A 1997 Department of Health School Survey measured adolescent use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Drug and alcohol use among teens contributes to a variety of social and health problems: school failure, teenage pregnancy, depression and violence. Of the 26,932 students surveyed, 68% reported using a substance in the past year; 24% of high school respondents reported driving a vehicle after using alcohol or other drugs; and 15% of high school students reported carrying a weapon to school in the month prior to the survey. Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 5-14 year olds and the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. Sixty-five percent of suicide deaths are caused by firearms and 44% of these deaths are alcohol-related. Among 15-19 year olds, 44% of all fatal crash incidents involved alcohol.

The U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice have identified the importance of partnerships with local law enforcement agencies. The practice of community policing, including in schools, is believed to significantly improve the quality of adolescent lives by building positive relationships that may reduce violence, aggression, and disorder in communities.

Programs supported by HB 102 could easily be incorporated into the current Coordinated School Health Program in place in New Mexico school systems. School Resource Officers are an effective venue for implementing programs funded by HB 102. They are involved in relationships with students, assist with conflict management, risk behavior intervention, mentoring activities, gang mediation and in-school detention program. After school programs involving law enforcement have been successful during a time that is most associated with the occurrence of juvenile crime, between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Violence prevention programs are strengthened through collaboration. The Department of Health (DOH) has collaborated with the DPS, Children, Youth and Families Department(CYFD), the State Department of Education (SDE) and community-based organizations to implement injury and violence prevention programs. A more appropriate home for this program may be in the DOH or CYFD with a clear directive to include the local law enforcement agencies in program implementation.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

Why are the funds appropriated to DPS instead of the SDE, DOH or CYFD?

DW/ar