RELATING TO CHILDREN; CREATING A TRI-COUNTY TASK FORCE TO STUDY METHODS TO DIVERT CHILDREN FROM A LIFE OF CRIME.

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

Section 1. TRI-COUNTY TASK FORCE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES--APPROPRIATION.--

A. There is created, under the direction of the chief judge for the second judicial district, a tri-county task force for the purpose of studying and recommending to the legislature programs that serve to divert children from a life of crime. The task force shall study programs that operate in Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties.

B. The tri-county task force shall include a representative from the children, youth and families department; a representative from the department of health; a representative from the state department of public education; a representative from a public school district; a representative from a police department; a representative from a county sheriff's department; a representative from a county juvenile detention center; a children's court judge; a tribal court judge; an assistant district attorney who practices in children's court; a public defender who practices in children's court; a guardian ad litem; a representative of the county maternal and child health planning council as provided for in the County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act; and three public members from interested child-oriented organizations. All members of the task force shall be appointed by the chief judge for the second judicial district; provided that Bernalillo county, Sandoval county and Valencia county shall each be represented by no less than five task force members.

C. The tri-county task force shall examine programs providing opportunities to divert children from a life of crime, including:

(1) home visits by child-care professionals starting before birth and continuing for the first two years of a child's life;

(2) training for parents and therapy for families with school-age children who have exhibited inappropriate aggression or otherwise demonstrated unhealthy behavior in school;

(3) creating incentives, including cash, to induce disadvantaged students to complete their education; and

(4) monitoring and supervising youth who have exhibited delinquent behavior.

D. The tri-county task force shall make a preliminary progress report to the legislative education study committee, the legislative finance committee, the interim legislative health and human services committee and the interim legislative committee with jurisdiction over criminal law issues, at their respective October 1999 meetings, and present its final report, including legislative recommendations, to the same committees by October 31, 2000.

HJC/HB 333

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