RELATING TO JUVENILE JUSTICE; PROVIDING FOR THE DETENTION OF A CHILD WHO POSSESSES A FIREARM ON SCHOOL PREMISES; ENACTING A SECTION OF THE CHILDREN'S CODE.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Children's Code is enacted to read:

"CHILD IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM ON SCHOOL PREMISES--DETENTION--HEARING.--

A. If a public school administrator or employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child is in possession of or has been in possession of a firearm on school premises in violation of the federal Gun Free Schools Act of 1994 or Section 30-7-2.1 NMSA 1978, the administrator or employee shall immediately report the child's actions to a law enforcement agency and the children, youth and families department.

B. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to Subsection A of this section, the law enforcement agency shall immediately conduct an investigation to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the child possessed a firearm on school premises.

C. If the law enforcement agency determines there is probable cause to believe that the child possessed a firearm on school premises, the law enforcement agency shall immediately take the child into custody and deliver the child to a detention facility licensed by the department. After the child is delivered to a detention facility, the department shall comply with the notification provisions set forth in Subsection C of Section 32A-2-10 NMSA 1978. The child shall be detained in the detention facility, pending a detention hearing pursuant to the provisions of Section 32A-2-13 NMSA 1978."

D. "Firearm" means any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; or any firearm muffler or firearm silencer. "Firearm" includes any handgun, rifle or shotgun."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.

HB 231

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