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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR King
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2/06/2007
HB 877
SHORT TITLE Torrance County Domestic Violence Prevention
SB
ANALYST Lucero
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY07
FY08
$100.0
Recurring
General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Relates to SB83, SB94, and SB457
Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Public Defender Department (PDD)
Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 877 appropriates one hundred thousand ($100,000) from the general fund to Children,
Youth and Families Department for expenditure in 2008 for a domestic violence prevention
program in Torrance county.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of one hundred thousand ($100,000) contained in this bill is a recurring
expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of
fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.
The appropriation in this bill not part of Children Youth and Families Department's request and
is not included in the Executive recommendation of Children Youth and Families Department.
pg_0002
House Bill 877 – Page
2
The Executive recommendation for Children, Youth and Families Department’s operating
budget contains $98.3 for domestic violence programming oversight and 2 FTE.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
According to data from New Mexico Voices for Children’s New Mexico Kids Count Data book:
“New Mexico women, in every category of ethnicity and educational level, are more likely to
experience domestic violence than American women in general. Violence harms all parties:
victim, perpetrator and witness. Without adequate intervention, children who experience or
witness violence often continue these destructive patterns into adulthood. In fact, 59% of adult
victims and 70% of perpetrators of domestic violence in New Mexico report having been abused
as children. Fifteen cases of domestic violence occur for every 1,000 residents. In 2004, 27,000
cases of domestic violence were reported to the police. However, research shows that only half
of all victims actually report their abuse to the authorities. “
The Public Defender Department supports legislation improving the overall operation of the
criminal justice system, and prevents recidivism.
The Public Education Department provided the following data:
•
Many of New Mexico’s children and youths are victims of domestic violence
(
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
In 2004, there were more than 26,000 reported cases of domestic violence
(
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Domestic violence does not discriminate; victims and perpetrators come from
every ethnicity, class and age group (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Studies have shown that child abuse occurs in up to 70% of families that
experience domestic violence (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
A 2003 study by Research and Polling done for the Children’s Cabinet showed
that one of the greatest concerns of adults was how the impact of witnessing
domestic violence harms a child for years to come, ruining their relationships and
continuing the cycle of violence (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to fail in school and
withdraw from society (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Domestic violence is often said to happen in a cycle
(
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Studies have shown that the most effective steps for reducing domestic violence
are to hold the batterer accountable and to get effective treatment
(
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
Victims of domestic violence often lack information, economic resources and a
support network (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is when he or she is
trying to leave an abusive relationship (
http://www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us
).
•
24% of females from grades 9-12 seriously considered attempting suicide during
the past 12 months (New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS)
2003 Report of State Results).
•
12.5% of males ranging from grades 9-12 attempted suicide during the past 12
months (New Mexico YRRS 2003 Report of State Results).
pg_0003
House Bill 877 – Page
3
•
16% of males ranging from grades 9-12 were either threatened or injured with a
weapon during the past 12 months (New Mexico YRRS 2003 Report of State
Results).
•
5% of females ranging from grades 9-12 carried a weapon during the past 30 days
(New Mexico YRRS 2003 Report of State Results).
•
7% of females ranging from grades 9-12 were either threatened or injured with a
weapon during the past 12 months (New Mexico YRRS 2003 Report of State
Results).
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
CYFD states that this bill, as written, would positively affect existing CYFD performance out-
come measures concerning the “Percent of adult victims receiving domestic violence services
who are living in a safer, more stable environment as measured by the Domestic Violence
Assessment Tool" and “Percent of adult victims receiving domestic violence services who show
improved client competencies in social living, coping and thinking skills as measured by the
Domestic Violence Assessment Tool".
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
If passed, this bill may increase slightly the administrative costs of the agency which the bill
does not address.
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
Relates to SB 83, SB 94, and SB 457
TECHNICAL ISSUES
CYFD allocates and administrates funding to domestic violence programs and is also responsible
for monitoring contracts. CYFD will be required to conduct a competitive bid for the $100,000
and monitor the contract. As per the procurement code any contract over thirty thousand dollars
must be let through competitive procurement process.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The Public Defender Department (PDD) supports legislation that may lead to the reduced
recidivism of its clients. Early intervention might reduce the workload of the PDD.
ALTERNATIVES
None at this time.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
Status Quo.
DL/csd