A. The "domestic violence homicide review team" is created within the commission for the purpose of reviewing the facts and circumstances of domestic violence related homicides and sexual assault related homicides in New Mexico, identifying the causes of the fatalities and their relationship to government and nongovernment service delivery systems and developing methods of domestic violence prevention.

B. The team shall consist of the following members appointed by the director of the commission:

(1) medical personnel with expertise in domestic violence;

(2) criminologists;

(3) representatives from the New Mexico district attorneys association;

(4) representatives from the attorney general;

(5) victim services providers;

(6) civil legal services providers;

(7) representatives from the public defender department;

(8) members of the judiciary;

(9) law enforcement personnel;

(10) representatives from the department of health, the aging and long-term services department and the children, youth and families department who deal with domestic violence victims' issues;

(11) representatives from tribal organizations who deal with domestic violence; and

(12) any other members the director of the commission deems appropriate.

C. The domestic violence homicide review team shall:

(1) review trends and patterns of domestic violence related homicides and sexual assault related homicides in New Mexico;

(2) evaluate the responses of government and nongovernment service delivery systems and offer recommendations for improvement of the responses;

(3) identify and characterize high-risk groups for the purpose of recommending developments in public policy;

(4) collect statistical data in a consistent and uniform manner on the occurrence of domestic violence related homicides and sexual assault related homicides; and

(5) improve collaboration between tribal, state and local agencies and organizations to develop initiatives to prevent domestic violence.

D. The following items are confidential:

(1) all records, reports or other information obtained or created by the domestic violence homicide review team for the purpose of reviewing domestic violence related homicides or sexual assault related homicides pursuant to this section; and

(2) all communications made by domestic violence homicide review team members or other persons during a review conducted by the team of a domestic violence related homicide or a sexual assault related homicide.

E. The following persons shall honor the confidentiality requirements of this section and shall not make disclosure of any matter related to the team's review of a domestic violence related homicide or a sexual assault related homicide, except pursuant to appropriate court orders:

(1) domestic violence homicide review team members;

(2) persons who provide records, reports or other information to the team for the purpose of reviewing domestic violence related homicides and sexual assault related homicides; and

(3) persons who participate in a review conducted by the team.

F. Nothing in this section shall prevent the discovery or admissibility of any evidence that is otherwise discoverable or admissible merely because the evidence was presented during the review of a domestic violence related homicide or a sexual assault related homicide pursuant to this section.

G. Domestic violence homicide review team members shall not be subject to civil liability for any act related to the review of a domestic violence related homicide or a sexual assault related homicide; provided that the members act in good faith, without malice and in compliance with other state or federal law.

H. An organization, institution, agency or person who provides testimony, records, reports or other information to the domestic violence homicide review team for the purpose of reviewing domestic violence related homicides or sexual assault related homicides shall not be subject to civil liability for providing the testimony, records, reports or other information to the team; provided that the organization, institution, agency or person acts in good faith, without malice and in compliance with other state or federal law.

I. At least thirty days prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, the domestic violence homicide review team shall transmit a report of its activities pursuant to this section to:

(1) the governor;

(2) the legislative council;

(3) the chief justice of the supreme court;

(4) the secretary of public safety;

(5) the secretary of children, youth and families;

(6) the secretary of health; and

(7) any other persons the team deems appropriate.

History: Laws 2007, ch. 235, § 1.

Effective dates. — Laws 2007, ch. 235, § 2 made this section effective July 1, 2007.