SENATE BILL 322

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

AN ACT

RELATING TO DOMESTIC AFFAIRS; PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES FOR CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS--SECURITY.--

          A. Each court in which a child custody proceeding is heard shall, to the extent possible, implement the following security measures:

                (1) with the cooperation and assistance of the administrative office of the courts and local or state law enforcement agencies, provide training for judges and court personnel on safety concerns related to child custody proceedings;

                (2) install security surveillance cameras on the interior and exterior of court facilities;

                (3) allow one party to a proceeding to participate in a hearing via video conference;

                (4) upon request by a party, provide the party with a law enforcement officer or security guard escort as the party leaves the court facility following a hearing in a child custody proceeding; and

                (5) provide a waiting area to enable staggered departure times for parties leaving the court following a hearing in a child custody proceeding.

          B. For the purposes of this section, "child custody proceeding" means a proceeding in which legal or physical custody of a child or visitation with the child is at issue.

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