SENATE BILL 397

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Nancy Rodriguez and Christine Trujillo

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT TO CREATE AND OPERATE SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS--CREATION AND OPERATION.--

          A. The department shall provide funding, technical assistance, clinical oversight and other necessary support for the creation and operation of school-based health centers.

          B. School-based health centers shall be regulated by the department to provide services pursuant to Subsection E of this section.

          C. School-based health centers shall be established in schools, within the boundaries of school campuses or within safe walking distances from school campuses as determined by the school and the school-based health center operator, in communities based on:

                (1) need for services;

                (2) operator availability; and

                (3) support from local educational authorities.

          D. School-based health centers shall work in cooperation with schools and school districts and be operated by licensed health care providers, including hospitals, federally qualified health centers, the department's public health nurses and other qualified health care providers.

          E. School-based health centers shall provide services through licensed providers, including:

                (1) primary health care;

                (2) preventive health care, including comprehensive health assessments and diagnosis;

                (3) treatment of minor, acute and chronic conditions;

                (4) mental health care;

                (5) substance use disorder assessments, treatment and referral;

                (6) crisis intervention; or

                (7) referrals as necessary for additional treatment, including inpatient care, specialty care, emergency psychiatric care, oral health care and vision health care services.

          F. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules for the regulation, operation and oversight of school-based health centers receiving funding from the department.

          G. For purposes of this section:

                (1) "department" means the department of health;

                (2) "mental health care" means services related to emotional, psychological and social well-being; 

                (3) "preventive health care" means services that include screenings, checkups and patient counseling to stop or slow the progression of illness, diseases and other health problems; and

                (4) "primary health care" means health care services that include providing preventive care, promoting wellness and treating common illnesses."

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