HOUSE BILL 251

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; CREATING THE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TRANSPORTATION FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Human Services Department Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TRANSPORTATION FUND.--The "county behavioral health transportation fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of appropriations, gifts, grants, donations and bequests made to the fund. Money in the fund is appropriated to the department for the purpose of making distributions to counties that apply for and, in accordance with department rules, qualify for funds for the transport of indigent patients to behavioral health services. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of human services or the secretary's authorized representative. Money in the fund shall be invested as provided for other state funds, and income earned on the fund shall be credited to the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the county behavioral health transportation fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2019 and subsequent fiscal years to fund counties' transport of indigent patients to behavioral health services. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

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