SENATE BILL 373

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Leonard Lee Rawson

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS FOR THE ONE PERCENT FOR CHILDREN INITIATIVE.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. One million thirty-one thousand one hundred ninety-five dollars ($1,031,195) is appropriated from the general fund to the administrative office of the courts in fiscal year 2006 in the following amounts for the one percent for children initiative:

                (1) three hundred fifty-six thousand three hundred thirteen dollars ($356,313) for court-appointed attorney fees in child abuse and neglect cases;

                (2) three hundred five thousand six hundred seventy-six dollars ($305,676) for the children's court mediation project that provides mediation services in abuse and neglect cases;

                (3) two hundred forty thousand nine hundred fifty-eight dollars ($240,958) for the court-appointed special advocate program that provides trained volunteer advocates for children in foster care because of parental abuse and neglect; and

                (4) one hundred twenty-eight thousand two hundred forty-eight dollars ($128,248) for the access and visitation program that provides parents and children a safe place for visitations or exchanges of children between parents in cases of abuse, neglect, separation, divorce, substance abuse, mental illness or family violence.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert to the general fund.

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