HOUSE MEMORIAL 16

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Gail Chasey

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT A TASK FORCE BE FORMED TO STUDY AND REPORT ITS FINDINGS ON THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO SEXUALLY EXPLOITED MINORS AND ON THE EFFECTS OF A SAFE HARBOR LAW ON THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, minors in New Mexico are children under the age of eighteen; and

     WHEREAS, when a child is found delinquent in New Mexico, a court may make disposition for the supervision, care and rehabilitation of the child pursuant to Section 32A-2-19 NMSA 1978; and

     WHEREAS, federal law enforcement recognizes sexually exploited children as victims of a crime; and

     WHEREAS, eighteen other states have enacted some form of "safe harbor" laws that view sexually exploited minor children as victims in need of rehabilitation; and

     WHEREAS, in general, law enforcement in New Mexico currently follows this practice without any specific law; and

     WHEREAS, in New Mexico, there are some resources for the rehabilitation of minors, but they are insufficient; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico may see more instances of trafficking in the near future;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the following organizations form a task force to study the delivery of services to sexually exploited minors in New Mexico and the effect that passage of a "safe harbor" law might have currently and in the future on delivery of those services and programs for sexually exploited minors:

          A. New Mexico women's agenda;

          B. New Mexico coalition against sexual assault programs; and

          C. Santa Fe coordinated community response council; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following organizations appoint a representative to meet with the task force:

          A. New Mexico voices for children;

          B. office of the attorney general;

          C. an advocacy group for young women;

          D. the Life Link at Santa Fe;

          E. PB&J family services;

          F. a faith-based advocacy organization;

          G. a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization;

          H. Enlace Comunitario;

          I. university of New Mexico school of law; and

          J. other similar organizations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consult with the following organizations:

          A. New Mexico district attorney's association;

          B. New Mexico public defenders;

          C. American civil liberties union of New Mexico;

          D. New Mexico law enforcement;

          E. southwest women's law center;

          F. New Mexico women's justice project; and

          G. other similar programs or task forces in other states considering such action; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report to the appropriate legislative interim committee that studies justice issues and the legislative health and human services committee no later than November 2014; and that a copy of the task force's report be made public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico women's agenda for distribution to the organizations mentioned in this memorial.