SENATE BILL

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO MISSING PERSONS; CREATING THE "MISSING IN NEW MEXICO EVENT"; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Missing Persons Information and Reporting Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MISSING IN NEW MEXICO EVENT.--Each year, the department of public safety, in collaboration with the clearinghouse, shall host a "missing in New Mexico event" in support of all New Mexicans who are searching for missing relatives. The missing in New Mexico event is designated to:

          A. provide an opportunity for federal, state, local and tribal governments to come together in one location and assist families to file missing persons reports, update missing persons reports, submit DNA records or meet with an investigator;

          B. provide a network for New Mexicans with missing relatives to heal, access support services and access media outlets to distribute information about missing relatives to the general public; and

          C. encourage the department of public safety, local law enforcement agencies, the office of the attorney general, the office of the state medical investigator, the Indian affairs department, the department of health and the behavioral health services and income support divisions of the human services department to come together to provide support and services for New Mexican families with missing relatives."

     SECTION 2. Section 29-15-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1995, Chapter 146, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "29-15-3. MISSING PERSONS INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE--

FUNCTION.--

          A. The "missing persons information clearinghouse" is established in the department of public safety. The department of public safety shall provide for the administration of the clearinghouse. The department of public safety may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of the Missing Persons Information and Reporting Act in the manner prescribed in Subsection E of Section 9-1-5 NMSA 1978.

          B. The clearinghouse is a central repository of information on missing persons and shall be used by all law enforcement agencies, including tribal agencies, in this state.

          C. The clearinghouse shall:

                (1) establish a system of intrastate communication of information relating to missing persons;

                (2) provide a centralized file for the exchange of information on missing persons and unidentified human remains within the state;

                (3) communicate with the national crime information center for the exchange of information on missing persons suspected of interstate travel;

                (4) collect, process, maintain and disseminate accurate and complete information on missing persons;

                (5) provide a statewide toll-free telephone line for the reporting of missing persons and for receiving information on missing persons;

                (6) disseminate to custodians, law enforcement agencies, the public education department, the children, youth and families department and the general public information that explains how to prevent child abduction and what to do if a child becomes missing;

                (7) compile statistics relating to the incidence of missing persons within the state;

                (8) provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies and social services agencies pertaining to missing persons; [and]

                (9) establish a media protocol for disseminating information pertaining to missing persons; and

                (10) host the annual missing in New Mexico event.

          D. The clearinghouse shall print and distribute posters, flyers and other forms of information containing descriptions of missing persons.

          E. The department of public safety may accept public or private grants, gifts and donations to assist the department in carrying out the provisions of the Missing Persons Information and Reporting Act."

     SECTION 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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