SENATE BILL 325

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS; ESTABLISHING A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELING FOR QUALIFIED INMATES IN ALL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PROVIDING THAT LUNA COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRANT THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND THAT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 33 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELING PROGRAM.--

          A. The corrections department shall establish and administer a post-secondary education program for an associate degree in alcohol and drug abuse counseling for qualified inmates in all state correctional facilities, including facilities privately operated pursuant to a contract executed in accordance with Section 33-1-17 NMSA 1978.

          B. Luna community college shall grant the associate degree for the program, and New Mexico highlands university shall develop the curriculum and provide technical assistance to the corrections department and Luna community college for the program's administration.

          C. At minimum, the program shall:

                (1) be accredited by the appropriate regional or national accrediting agency; and

                (2) meet the licensing requirements for an alcohol and drug abuse counselor as provided in the Counseling and Therapy Practice Act."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the corrections department for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 and subsequent fiscal years to establish and administer a post-secondary education program for an associate degree in alcohol and drug abuse counseling. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

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