§ 8-5-20 — Missing indigenous persons specialists; duties

A. The position of "missing indigenous persons specialist" is created within the office of the attorney general. B. The attorney general shall employ one or more missing indigenous persons specialists, who shall work in collaboration with local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies on missing indigenous persons cases pursuant to the Missing Persons Information and Reporting Act [Chapter 29, Article 15 NMSA 1978]. C. The missing indigenous persons specialists shall: (1) review entries in the database of the national crime information center of the United States department of justice and other databases, including the missing persons information clearinghouse, to ensure records of missing indigenous persons are accurate, complete and made in a timely fashion; (2) collaborate with other state and international missing persons programs and the national center for missing and exploited children to aid in locating indigenous children who are unlawfully taken out of or unlawfully brought into New Mexico; (3) provide public outreach and education on missing indigenous persons issues and the prevention of indigenous child abductions; (4) provide support and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies regarding data collection, data sharing and the cooperative use of available resources; (5) compile reports of pending missing indigenous persons cases, including the status of pending missing indigenous persons cases, the clearance rate of investigating agencies responsible for tracking missing indigenous persons cases and an analysis by year of the characteristics of missing indigenous persons; (6) assist with alerts and advisories at the request of the department of public safety to assist in locating a missing indigenous person; and (7) collaborate with the New Mexico law enforcement academy to facilitate training for law enforcement agencies related to missing indigenous persons cases.

Legislative History

Laws 2022, ch. 2, § 2.