Bill > HB354

This bill establishes a six-year pilot project called the Community Criminal Justice Diversion Project in New Mexico, designed to provide an alternative approach to handling certain criminal offenses by connecting individuals with mental health and social services instead of traditional criminal justice processing. The project will be implemented in at least five counties across different judicial districts and aims to reduce crime, homelessness, and recidivism while improving public health. Participants (local agencies) will develop diversion programs that include community referrals, mobile crisis response teams, pre-arrest diversion for petty misdemeanors, potential post-arrest diversion for some misdemeanors (with district attorney approval), and a comprehensive range of support services such as emergency shelter, medical treatment, psychiatric care, addiction services, and long-term social support like housing and employment assistance. The Behavioral Health Services Division of the Health Care Authority will oversee the project, establish a budget, select participants by April 2026, collect and analyze program data, and submit periodic and final reports to legislative committees and the governor. A dedicated fund will be created to support the project, which can receive appropriations, donations, and grants, with any unexpended funds reverting to the general fund by fiscal year 2031.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=354&year=25