SENATE BILL 164

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

William P. Soules

 

 

 

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EVALUATE THE IMPACTS OF UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME ON PREGNANT PEOPLE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.--

          A. As used in this section, "program" means the universal basic income pilot program.

          B. The "universal basic income pilot program" is created as a two-year pilot program administered by the department of health to evaluate the financial impact on a pregnant person of providing a universal basic income from pregnancy through the first year of life of an infant.

          C. The department of health shall develop an application process for participants to voluntarily enroll in the program. The program shall consist of a control group of participants and a test group of participants. Participants in the program shall:

                (1) be pregnant at the time of applying to participate in the program; and

                (2) have an income at or below one hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty level.

          D. The program shall begin on July 1, 2024 and shall end on June 30, 2026. The program shall proceed with the following limitations:

                (1) the department of health shall distribute to participants a universal basic income of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per month through the duration of the program;

                (2) participants shall receive home visitation from employees of the department of health or an entity approved by the department of health;

                (3) participants shall complete surveys and research forms throughout the duration of the program;

                (4) participants shall attend prenatal care appointments with a health care provider as defined pursuant to the Public Health Act in a frequency recommended by the health care provider; and

                (5) if a participant fails to comply with the provisions of Paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, that participant shall be placed in the control group for the remainder of the program. 

          E. The department of health shall report the findings of the program to the legislative education study committee no later than December 1, 2026.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Eighty million dollars ($80,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to conduct a universal basic income pilot program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

- 3 -