FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Chris Nordstrumchris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov
415-601-1992
Santa Fe, NM – Today, the second and third of a trio of behavioral health bills advanced in the senate after receiving bipartisan support and do-pass votes (both passed 8-1) in the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee. Together this suite of legislation represents a critical component of the legislature’s ongoing commitment to addressing the behavioral health and public safety crisis facing the state.
Senate Bill 1 sets to establish a billion-dollar trust fund for behavioral health initiatives throughout New Mexico. The Health Care Authority would then administer annual disbursements from the fund to pay for mental health and substance abuse treatment, intervention and prevention and for the infrastructure, technology and workforce supports those services require. Importantly, the fund could also be used to unlock matching funds for federal, local and private money and grants related to behavioral health services and programs. The trust fund will make annual distributions of 5 percent of a rolling three-year average market value of the trust fund to a newly created behavioral health program fund. Senate Bill 1 passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee with unanimous support on January 29th.
“We have the money. We have the flexibility right now, and we know this is a priority issue across the state of New Mexico,” said bill sponsor Senator George Muñoz (D – Gallup). “Now is the time to create a recurring revenue source to fund in perpetuity the wide scope of behavioral health investments needed throughout the state to address mental health, substance misuse, crime and homelessness.”
Senate Bill 2 consists of a $140 million appropriation to fund expanding behavioral health services throughout New Mexico on a regional basis. The bill addresses a wide range of community needs, including planning, diversion, outpatient services, inpatient care, crisis response, mobile units, behavioral health service education, homelessness, corrections discharge, equipment and vehicles, and housing.
Eligible recipients for funding under SB 2 include state agencies, local governments, tribes, and federally qualified health centers. The legislation introduces a new, innovative approach to delivering behavioral healthcare services across the state.
“SB 2 marks a transformative step forward in addressing the behavioral health needs of our communities,” said bill sponsor Benny Shendo (D – Jemez). “This funding will empower regions to tailor solutions that meet their unique challenges, ensuring more New Mexicans have access to the care and services they need and deserve.”
Senate Bill 3 serves as the cornerstone of the Senate’s comprehensive behavioral health package. The legislation will empower the Administrative Office of the Courts to create behavioral health regions across the state (defined by counties or judicial districts). Each region will then be required to complete a sequential intercept resource mapping, identifying existing behavioral health resources and gaps. This mapping will inform the development of regional plans, which, once completed, will unlock state funding to improve and expand behavioral health services.
“We are in the process of rebuilding our behavioral healthcare system after it was pretty much dismantled 10 years ago. As we work to rebuild it from the ground up, we’re going partner with our court system to build a framework that’s most effective,” said bill sponsor Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D – Santa Fe). “We call Senate Bill 3 the guardrails bill. This legislation will lead to the creation of regional plans, ensure that the money gets where it needs to go, and establish the oversight to make sure that there are accountability measures in place.”
Senate Bills 1, 2, & 3 will next be heard in the Senate Finance Committee.
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