SENATE BILL 68

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FUND THE CREATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEES WITHIN COUNTY AND TRIBAL HEALTH COUNCILS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Nine hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($975,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 to fund the creation and operation of early childhood services committees within county and tribal health councils. The early childhood services committees shall be charged with:

                (1) conducting an annual "gap" analysis that compares the need for early childhood services in the state and the capacity of those early childhood services that are available to meet the need;

                (2) conducting early childhood service training;

                (3) collecting and sharing data and resources on maximizing the effectiveness of early childhood services;

                (4) developing annual needs assessments of early childhood services;

                (5) conducting campaigns on the prevention of child maltreatment; and

                (6) developing an online portal to facilitate primary care referral of children at risk to early childhood and family support services.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2015 shall revert to the general fund.

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