SENATE MEMORIAL 73

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Lisa A. Torraco

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE TASK FORCE 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, a task force was formed in 2014 to study the delivery of services to sexually exploited children in New Mexico and the effects that passage of a "safe harbor" law might have on the delivery of those services and programs for sexually exploited children; and

     WHEREAS, safe harbor laws have been developed by states to address the inconsistencies on how children who are exploited for commercial sex or labor are treated; and

     WHEREAS, safe harbor laws regarding human trafficking and prostitution may prevent child victims of sex trafficking from being prosecuted for prostitution and can protect child victims of sex trafficking from further exploitation by providing them with services; and

     WHEREAS, the task force, consisting of representatives of service providers, including the lifelink and enlace communitario, representatives of advocates, including the New Mexico coalition of sexual assault programs, incorporated, the New Mexico women's agenda, Santa Fe safe and New Mexico voices for children, and representatives of the office of the attorney general, the children, youth and families department and other interested organizations and groups, has been meeting for six months to collect information about safe harbor programs, laws in other states and services for trafficking victims in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in 2014, the task force presented a preliminary report to the legislative health and human services committee and the courts, corrections and justice committee; and

     WHEREAS, task force members are encouraged by the progress they have made and believe that it would be beneficial to continue to meet during the 2015 interim to further engage the voices and opinions of former victims, as well as representatives of the judiciary; and

     WHEREAS, the task force has identified the need for more education of the public and of law enforcement, provided by criminal justice professionals, on recognizing sexual exploitation of children in New Mexico; recognizing children who might be presented as adults; and on up-to-date information about services and available shelters;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the task force created in 2014 to study the delivery of services to sexually exploited children in New Mexico be requested to continue to meet during the 2015 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to obtain reports and collect data from local and regional entities regarding arrests, referrals for treatment and other indicators available on the incidence of sexually exploited children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to obtain recommendations and analyses from local and regional entities that deal with children, as well as obtain recommendations from the judiciary regarding ways to prevent sexually exploited children from entering the juvenile justice system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to obtain information and recommendations from former victims of sexual exploitation and others who have dealt with sexually exploited youth; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to develop recommendations for any changes in laws and delivery of services to sexually exploited children that task force members believe would improve children's future in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to prepare a report of the data collected and provide recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee and to the appropriate interim committee for courts and corrections issues no later than November 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of the task force's report be made available to the public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the legislative health and human services committee, the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the New Mexico women's agenda for distribution to the organizations participating in the task force.

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