HOUSE BILL 191

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Micaela Lara Cadena and Antonio Maestas and Gail Chasey

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS; ENACTING THE CORRECTIONS OMBUDSMAN ACT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

         SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Corrections Ombudsman Act".

         SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The legislature intends to create an independent and impartial office of the corrections ombudsman to assist in strengthening procedures and practices that lessen the possibility of actions occurring within the corrections department that may adversely impact the health, safety, welfare and rehabilitation of offenders and that will effectively reduce the exposure of the department to litigation.

         SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Corrections Ombudsman Act:

                   A. "abuse" means any act or failure to act by a department employee, subcontractor or volunteer that was performed or that was failed to be performed, knowingly, recklessly or intentionally, and that caused or may have caused harm, injury or death to an inmate, probationer or parolee;

                   B. "corrections ombudsman" means the corrections ombudsman, staff of the corrections ombudsman and volunteers within the office;

                   C. "department" means the corrections department;

                   D. "inmate" means an individual committed to the physical custody of the department, including individuals residing in a correctional institution or facility and individuals received from another state agency, county or state or the federal government;

                   E. "neglect" means a negligent act or omission by a department employee, subcontractor of the department or volunteer with the department that caused or may have caused harm, injury or death to an inmate, probationer or parolee;

                   F. "office" means the office of the corrections ombudsman;

                   G. "parolee" means a person who has been convicted of a crime and who has been released on parole pursuant to the Probation and Parole Act;

                   H. "probationer" means a person who has been convicted of a crime and who has been released on probation pursuant to the Probation and Parole Act; and

                   I. "secretary" means the secretary of corrections.

         SECTION 4. [NEW MATERIAL] OFFICE CREATED--PURPOSE.--

                   A. The "office of the corrections ombudsman" is created within the legislative finance committee for the purposes of:

                               (1) ensuring compliance with relevant statutes, rules and policies pertaining to corrections facilities, services and treatment of inmates, probationers and parolees within the jurisdiction of the department;

                               (2) identifying systemic issues and responses for the governor and the legislature to act upon;

                               (3) providing information to inmates, probationers and parolees and their families; and

                               (4) promoting public awareness and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of inmates, probationers and parolees.

                   B. The corrections ombudsman shall report directly to the director of the legislative finance committee and shall exercise the powers and duties of the corrections ombudsman independently of the secretary.

         SECTION 5. [NEW MATERIAL] APPOINTMENT--TERM--EMPLOYEES.--

                   A. The New Mexico legislative council shall appoint a corrections ombudsman, who shall be a person of recognized judgment, independence, objectivity and integrity. Prior to the appointment, the New Mexico legislative council shall consult with and may receive recommendations from appropriate committees of the legislature and other relevant stakeholders regarding the appointment of the corrections ombudsman.

                   B. The person appointed corrections ombudsman shall hold office for a term of three years and shall continue to hold office until reappointed or until a successor is appointed. The New Mexico legislative council may remove the corrections ombudsman only for neglect of duty, misconduct or an inability to perform duties. A vacancy shall be filled by similar appointment for the remainder of an unexpired term.

                   C. The corrections ombudsman may employ technical experts and other employees to fulfill the duties of the Corrections Ombudsman Act, including experts and legal staff to investigate and litigate issues identified through the office.

         SECTION 6. [NEW MATERIAL] DUTIES--INVESTIGATIONS--COMPLAINTS.--

                   A. The corrections ombudsman shall:

                               (1) establish priorities for use of the limited resources available to the corrections ombudsman;

                               (2) maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number, a collect telephone number, a website and a mailing address for the receipt of complaints and inquiries;

                               (3) provide information, as appropriate, to inmates, probationers and parolees, family members of inmates, probationers and parolees, representatives of inmates, probationers and parolees, department employees and others regarding rights of inmates, probationers and parolees;

                               (4) provide technical assistance to support inmate, probationer and parolee participation in self-advocacy;

                               (5) monitor department compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and policies as related to the health, safety, welfare and rehabilitation of inmates, probationers and parolees;

                               (6) monitor and participate in legislative and policy development affecting correctional facilities;

                               (7) establish a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze data related to complaints received by the corrections ombudsman regarding the department;

                               (8) establish procedures to receive, investigate and resolve complaints, including facilitating inmate, probationer, parolee and department employee confidential communication with the corrections ombudsman;

                               (9) establish procedures to gather stakeholder input into the corrections ombudsman's activities and priorities, which shall include at a minimum quarterly public meetings and the formation of an advisory committee;

                               (10) submit by September 30 of each year to the appropriate interim committees of the legislature and to the governor a report that includes at least the following:

                                         (a) the budget and expenditures of the office;

                                         (b) the number of complaints received and resolved by the corrections ombudsman;

                                         (c) a description of significant systemic or individual investigations or outcomes achieved by the corrections ombudsman during the prior fiscal year;

                                         (d) outstanding or unresolved concerns or recommendations of the corrections ombudsman; and

                                         (e) input and comments from stakeholders and an advisory committee regarding the corrections ombudsman's activities during the prior fiscal year;

                               (11) audit the financial expenditures of the department;

                               (12) report to the appropriate law enforcement agency any activity that the corrections ombudsman believes may be criminal in nature;

                               (13) monitor employment levels at the department, including employee overtime and fatigue;

                               (14) monitor the enforcement of the Restricted Housing Act and its reporting requirements;

                               (15) monitor the training and certification of corrections officers;

                               (16) compile data regarding anything that becomes a concern of the corrections ombudsman;

                               (17) work in conjunction with the office of the state auditor and the staff of the legislative finance committee in fulfilling the corrections ombudsman's responsibilities pursuant to the Corrections Ombudsman Act;

                               (18) promulgate and comply with rules, policies and procedures necessary to implement the Corrections Ombudsman Act; and

                               (19) monitor adequate staffing and training, appropriate classification procedures, pre-release preparation, utilization of community corrections and equal protection of female prisoners.

                   B. The corrections ombudsman shall eliminate corruption, such as overuse of solitary confinement, overuse of overtime, overuse of force, embezzlement of public funds or property, sexual exploitation, theft of inmate property, unlawful and unnecessary contracting, substandard medical care and waste of taxpayer resources.

                   C. The corrections ombudsman shall initiate and attempt to resolve an investigation upon the corrections ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint from an inmate, probationer or parolee, a family member of an inmate, probationer or parolee, a representative of an inmate, probationer or parolee, a department employee or others regarding any of the following that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare and rights of inmates, probationers and parolees:

                               (1) abuse or neglect by department employees, subcontractors or volunteers;

                               (2) department decisions or administrative actions;

                               (3) inactions or omissions by department employees, subcontractors or volunteers;

                               (4) policies, rules or procedures of the department; and

                               (5) alleged violations of law by the department.

                   D. The corrections ombudsman shall attempt to resolve an investigation upon receipt of a complaint from a department employee regarding any of the following:

                               (1) abuse or neglect by department employees, subcontractors or volunteers;

                               (2) department decisions or administrative actions;

                               (3) inactions or omissions by department employees, subcontractors or volunteers;

                               (4) policies, rules or procedures of the department; and

                               (5) alleged violations of law by the

department.

                   E. Prior to filing a complaint with the corrections ombudsman pursuant to Subsection D of this section, a department employee need not have pursued resolution of the complaint through internal grievance, administrative or appellate procedures or other administrative remedies within the department.

                   F. The corrections ombudsman may decline to investigate a complaint as provided by rules promulgated pursuant to the Corrections Ombudsman Act.

                   G. If the corrections ombudsman does not investigate a complaint, the corrections ombudsman shall notify the complainant of the decision not to investigate and the reasons for the decision.

                   H. The corrections ombudsman shall not investigate any complaint relating to an inmate's,