SENATE BILL 85

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT; REQUIRING STATE AGENCIES TO REVIEW THEIR POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO INSTITUTIONAL RACISM; REQUIRING GUIDELINES; PROVIDING FOR COMPLIANCE REVIEW.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Human Rights Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] REVIEW OF POLICIES--PREVENTING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM--APPLICATION TO CONTRACTORS.--

          A. Each state agency shall review its policies and practices to ensure that it does not contribute to institutional racism. Agencies shall report their findings and the guidelines adopted pursuant to Subsection B of this section to the director by January 1, 2017.

           B. Each state agency shall adopt guidelines that:

                (1) improve fairness and extend opportunity in state government and in the delivery of state services;

                (2) promote fairness and inclusion in seeking input, assessing applicant pools or making fiscal or other asset allocations by checking for inequitable effects before making final decisions;

                (3) encourage providing services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner;

                (4) encourage the respectful treatment of individuals or groups that traditionally have been burdened by discrimination; and

                (5) provide a process for the application of the guidelines to the performance of services by contractors with the state agency.

          C. The director shall review agency compliance with the guidelines on a periodic basis and may contract for evaluation and review services to monitor agency compliance."

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