AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILDREN; CHANGING THE YOUTH COUNCIL TO THE YOUTH ALLIANCE; CHANGING MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES; CHANGING DUTIES OF THE YOUTH ALLIANCE COORDINATOR.

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

     Section 1. Section 9-2A-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 324, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "9-2A-19. SHORT TITLE.--Sections 9-2A-19 through 9-2A-22 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Youth Alliance Act"."

     Section 2. Section 9-2A-20 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 324, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "9-2A-20. PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Youth Alliance Act is to encourage young people throughout New Mexico to consider and discuss the opportunities, issues and challenges they face and to identify community, family and collaborative assets as possible solutions for presentation to the governor, lieutenant governor and legislature."

     Section 3. Section 9-2A-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 324, Section 3) is amended to read:

     "9-2A-21. YOUTH ALLIANCE CREATED--ORGANIZATION--FUNCTIONS--DEFINITION.--

          A. The "youth alliance" is created and is administratively attached to the children, youth and families department.

          B. The alliance shall consist of youth, aged fourteen to twenty-four, from each New Mexico legislative district to be recruited through an open process and selected by a panel of other youth alliance members, legislators, government officials and representatives of community-based organizations using clear criteria developed by the department to ensure ethnic and economic diversity. Members shall serve two-year terms.

          C. The alliance shall meet at least four times a year for the purpose of discussing, from a youth perspective, the assets that exist in communities and schools and the gaps that are present in these systems and to recommend opportunities for problem-solving and collaboration to the governor, lieutenant governor and legislature.

          D. The alliance shall issue an annual report that summarizes the activities and findings of the alliance. The report shall be submitted to the legislature and the executive no later than November 15 of each year.

          E. Subject to sufficient appropriations, the alliance members shall engage a diverse group of local peers and solicit their input and launch local projects.

          F. As used in the Youth Alliance Act, "alliance" means the youth alliance."

     Section 4. Section 9-2A-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 324, Section 4) is amended to read:

     "9-2A-22. YOUTH ALLIANCE COORDINATOR--POSITION CREATED--DUTIES.--

          A. The position of "youth alliance coordinator" is created in the office of the secretary of children, youth and families to organize, administer and coordinate youth alliance activities.

          B. The coordinator shall:

                (1) oversee the recruitment and selection of alliance members;

                (2) organize alliance meetings, at least four of which shall include the lieutenant governor and the children's cabinet and at least two of which shall include the governor;

                (3) assist the alliance in preparing an annual report on its activities and findings; and

                (4) act as a liaison between the alliance and the children's cabinet, the legislature and other government officials to ensure their involvement in

activities related to children and youth."