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Senate committee advances $10 million request for community domestic‑violence programs
Summary
Senate Bill 191, carried by Sen. Hill, seeks $10 million to be appropriated to the Crime Victims Reparation Commission for community‑based domestic violence programs; proponents cited sharp increases in shelter nights, crisis calls and children served.
Senate Bill 191 would appropriate $10 million to the Crime Victims Reparation Commission to expand funding for community‑based domestic‑violence programs, Senator Hill told the committee as she presented the bill.
Mary Ellen Gonzalez, chief executive officer of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said the coalition represents 32 shelter programs statewide and urged the appropriation. "We are asking for $10,000,000 to go into the Crime Victims Reparation Commission," she told the committee, citing increased demand for services and the need to diversify funding.
Gonzalez said providers face growing demand and stagnant funding: shelter nights increased 44.74% since 2023, alternative shelter nights rose 52.67%, crisis calls increased 53% since 2020, and providers served 19,786 survivors in 2023 (a 30.74% increase). She also said the number of children served by providers rose 75%.
The nut graf: Supporters argued that investing in shelter, legal aid and counseling reduces child abuse and the number of children entering the welfare system and that diversifying funding across agencies would improve program solvency. Gonzalez said programs have not received increases in five years and that federal VOCA cuts and inflation have strained operations.
Committee procedure: A due‑pass motion for SB191 was made and carried by voice/show of hands; committee members indicated no objection during the session. Senators asked clarifying questions about the Commission and current funding: Gonzalez said domestic‑violence funding currently sits within the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) but some victim‑assistance and sexual‑assault funding are administered by the Crime Victims Reparation Commission and other agencies.
Ending: With the committee’s due‑pass recommendation, SB191 will proceed to the next step in the legislative process. Proponents asked the committee to prioritize funding to stabilize services as programs confront increased demand and possible federal funding reductions.
