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SENATE BILL 405
57
TH LEGISLATURE
-
STATE
OF
NEW
MEXICO
-
FIRST SESSION
,
2025
INTRODUCED BY
Linda M. López
AN ACT
RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; CREATING THE BIPARTISAN BLUE
RIBBON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STATUTORY REVIEW COMMITTEE AND THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY COLLABORATIVE TASK FORCE; PROVIDING FOR
THE COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] BIPARTISAN BLUE RIBBON
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STATUTORY REVIEW COMMITTEE CREATED--
MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--DUTIES.--
A. The "bipartisan blue ribbon behavioral health
statutory review committee" is created and shall function from
the date of its appointment until June 30, 2027.
B. The committee shall consist of subject matter
experts appointed by the New Mexico legislative council.
Committee members shall be adept at evaluating current New
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Mexico policies and practices for recommendations and
enhancements to ensure that marginalized populations receive
appropriate behavioral health care and support. The committee
shall appoint a "criminal justice policy collaborative task
force" that includes four representatives from each of the
judicial districts in New Mexico, two active district attorneys
and two active public defenders to advise the committee
regarding criminal-justice-involved practices needing
improvement in their respective judicial districts. These
recommendations shall also be based on successful, well-
established treatment law, policies and programs currently in
law in other states.
C. The committee shall elect a chair and such other
officers as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. The
committee shall meet at the call of the chair as necessary to
carry out its duties, but no less than twice a month. The
first meeting shall be held no later than July 1, 2025.
D. The committee shall propose statewide policies
and practices for trauma-informed adult, young adult and
juvenile treatment court programs. The committee's policy
recommendations shall address both addiction and mental health
treatment using assisted outpatient treatment and longer term
comprehensive inpatient care best practices.
E. The committee shall develop recommendations for
reform of New Mexico's behavioral health laws. To carry out
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this task, the committee shall examine New Mexico's behavioral
health laws, identify strengths and deficiencies and consider a
broad range of improvements that could be made to modernize the
behavioral health system. The committee shall submit a report
of its findings, including specific recommendations and
proposed legislation, to the governor, the appropriate interim
legislative committees and the supreme court commission on
mental health no later than October 1, 2026.
F. The committee shall hire or contract for expert
staff who are well-versed and have previous successful
experience working with legislators on behavioral treatment law
reform. Staff shall assist the committee as directed by the
chair, including conducting interviews with parties that wish
to express their views to the committee and synthesizing this
information for the committee. The committee may request
assistance from the legislative council service.
G. A majority of the members appointed to the
committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
The support of a majority of the members appointed is required
for adoption of any recommendation of the committee.
H. Members of the committee and the criminal
justice policy collaborative task force who are not public
employees are entitled to per diem and mileage as provided in
the Per Diem and Mileage Act but shall receive no other
compensation, perquisite or allowance.
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SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three hundred thousand
dollars ($300,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal years
2026 and 2027 to carry out the provisions of this act,
including staff salaries and reimbursement of the per diem and
mileage expenses of the bipartisan blue ribbon behavioral
health statutory review committee and the criminal justice
policy collaborative task force. Any unexpended or
unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027
shall revert to the general fund.
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