HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1

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

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Chasey

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

CREATING THE "CHILD SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE" TO INQUIRE INTO RESPONSES BY THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, that:

          "A. The "child safety and well-being oversight committee" is created as a special joint committee of the legislature. Four members of the house of representatives, two from each of the political parties having the most members in the house, shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Four members of the senate, two from each of the political parties having the most membership in the senate, shall be appointed by the senate committees' committee. The speaker and the committees' committee shall each appoint a co-chair.

          B. The committee shall inquire into the responses by the children, youth and families department to reports of child abuse and neglect, from the initial referral of a report of child abuse or neglect to the statewide central intake unit of the department to a determination by the department that allegations are substantiated or unsubstantiated, including cases in which children have been injured or killed after an initial referral to the department has been received. The committee may examine the policies, procedures and practices of other departments and agencies, including those of political subdivisions, as it determines is necessary.

          C. The committee is deemed by the house of representatives and the senate to be a standing committee for the purposes of Section 2-1-10 NMSA 1978 and is authorized to request either the house or the senate to compel, on behalf of the committee, the testimony of witnesses or production of documents relevant to the committee's work.

          D. Staff for the committee shall be provided by the legislative council service. The committee is authorized, through the legislative council service and subject to available appropriations, to retain special counsel and other staff as necessary.

          E. The committee is authorized to meet during and between legislative sessions. As provided by Section 10-15-2 NMSA 1978, the committee is authorized to meet in closed session to hear testimony, consider material or discuss information that in the judgment of the committee cannot or should not be disclosed publicly.

          F. The committee shall make an initial report of its findings and recommendations, if any, no later than January 31, 2017."

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