Next week, New Mexico lawmakers will debate next steps for behavioral health, criminal justice and outpatient treatment assistance.
The Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee will hear an update on the criminal justice budget and behavioral health and criminal justice recommendations from analysts from the Legislative Finance Committee on Monday.
“You'll recall that the Legislature passed a fairly substantial budget line item aimed at assisting both state and local governments in their crime-fighting efforts,” said Rep. Christine Chandler, D-N.Y., committee chair.
Behavioral health and capability are two topics central to discussion throughout the committee meetings.
“We're always going to have a dialogue,” said Rep. Chandler (D-Los Alamos).
On Tuesday, New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Briana Zamora will give the committee an update on the Supreme Court Commission on Mental Health and Capacity. Judge Zamora will be accompanied by representatives from the Court Administrative Office and the Second Judicial District.
New Mexico Chief Justice David Thompson and representatives from the First Judicial District Court are scheduled to speak later today about future efforts for the Outpatient Treatment Assistance Program.
Capacity and outpatient care support were two themes Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hoped to address during a special session in July that she called with public safety legislation in mind.
The state Legislature and Governor approved a bill that will send millions of dollars in state relief to victims of the South Fork and Salt fires, including $3 million to the Office of Court Administrative Relief for Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs and a Competency Diversion Pilot Program.
Gov. Lujan Grisham criticized the Legislature for not doing enough to address her public safety agenda during the special session, after which she led her Cabinet and administration staff on a three-city tour to explain her agenda to the public and listen to New Mexicans' concerns for at least 15 hours.
Chandler added that he hasn't heard what role Lujan Grisham's office will play in next week's committee presentation, and at this time, no members of the governor's staff, who are on the agenda both days, are speaking.
According to Governor Lujan Grisham's office, she will be in India until at least August 10. This week, she participated in an energy roundtable held in conjunction with the opening of a lithium battery storage system at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras Research Park in Tamil Nadu, India.
Returning to Santa Fe, Chandler said lawmakers are ready to address public safety issues for New Mexicans.
“We're going to continue to discuss issues that are of great concern to the people of our state, and the ongoing focus on improving law enforcement operations will certainly remain on the agenda,” she said.
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