NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to appropriations in: House Bills 145, 147, Senate Bills 482, 500.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 784 appropriates $20.0 to the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University (NMSU) for development of a high school curriculum teaching the value of benefits of marriage, the impact of divorce on children, conflict resolution, and the social, financial, and health implications of divorce.

Significant Issues

This appropriation would be provided to the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, which would issue a professional services contract for development of a curriculum to be used in all 89 New Mexico public school districts.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $20.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

The following bills relate to the appropriation or program goals of Senate Bill 784:

Senate Bill 482 (Gorham) appropriates $800.0 to develop and implement a statewide program to teach marriage skills and marriage maintenance skills, including the meaning and benefit of marriage, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, the economic and social impacts of divorce and the effects of divorce on children, to participants in the temporary assistance for needy families program and $250.0 to develop and implement a statewide media campaign to laud the benefits of marriage.

House Bill 147 appropriates $556.2 from the general fund to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to create a family strengthening partnership parenting educational program.

Senate Bill 500 (Boitano) appropriates $100.0 to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to produce and distribute on a statewide basis a booklet providing information to help prevent divorce.

House Bill 145 appropriates $625.0 to the State Department of Education (SDE) to provide a statewide education and support program for pregnant teens and teen parents.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program/project:

This program was not included in NMSU's budget request to the NMSU Board of Regents, and thus was not submitted by NMSU to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) for review. The CHE did not recommend funding this program expansion.

According to the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) the implementation of a statewide marriage enrichment program for families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and a campaign to laud the benefits of marriage, could easily be incorporated into HSD's existing contract with work program providers. HSD's work program contractors currently operate statewide and have developed community resources that support work efforts by TANF work participants.

Additionally, HSD currently has a contract with NMSU to provide services, including orientation, education, and training to TANF recipients, and could incorporate the type of training envisioned in the appropriation.

LG/njw:ar