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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Beam DATE TYPED: 01/30/01 HB 150
SHORT TITLE: Expand NM Safe House Network for Children SB
ANALYST: Belmares


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 140.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act See Fiscal Implications section below.



REVENUE



Estimated Revenue
Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02
See Narrative



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to House Bill 150 relates to Senate Bill 6 (see narrative in the Relationship section below).



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Administrative Office of the District Attorneys



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 150 appropriates one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) from the general fund to the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys for the purpose of expanding the New Mexico Safe House Network for children who are alleged victims of physical or sexual abuse.







Significant Issues

Experts from the safe house program conduct specialized interviews of children who are alleged victims of abuse. The interviews are multi-disciplinary in nature and are conducted by multiple agencies working together to ensure interviewed children are treated fairly and sensitively. The interviews are video recorded and provided to prosecutors as evidence to be used if criminal charges are filed. Programs throughout the state average a total of eight interviews per month.



Currently there are seven programs in the state. In addition to the funding received from the State of New Mexico, the programs also receive funding from the agencies to which they are attached and from other sources. The program also includes funding for the New Mexico Safe House Network Director, who conducts training and administers federal grants which benefit the seven programs.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $140.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.



House Bill 2 includes a $160.0 appropriation from the general fund to the Office of the District Attorneys for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to support the New Mexico Safe House Network. Additionally, House Bill 2 includes a $50.0 appropriation from the general fund to the Fifth Judicial District Attorney for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to support the New Mexico Safe House Network.



The additional appropriation of $140.0 included in House Bill 150 would bring the total amount for the New Mexico Safe House Network in fiscal year 2002 to $310.0.



RELATIONSHIP



House Bill 150 relates to Senate Bill 6. Senate Bill makes an appropriation of $300.0 from the general fund to the Administrative Office of the District Attorneys for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 to fund existing and new children's safe house programs.



EB/ar