[1] NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the stand­ing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibili­ty for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Knauer

 

DATE TYPED:

01/31/02

 

HB

70/aHCPAC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Teen Suicide Prevention Pilot Program

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Esquibel

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

75.0

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Department of Health (DOH)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of HCPAC Amendment

 

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee amendment to House Bill 70 includes Rio Arriba county along with Santa Fe county for the counties where a contract is proposed for a teen suicide prevention pilot program.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 70 appropriates $75.0 from the general fund to DOH for the purpose of contracting for a teen suicide prevention pilot program in Santa Fe county to include intensive prevention training for adult volunteers; a peer education program for teens likely to have contact with high-risk youth; development of school-based suicide awareness curriculum for middle and high school students; and expanded counseling for high-risk youth and their parents.

 

     Significant Issues

 

DOH indicates the bill would provide funding to screen large numbers of teenage students to find those with mental health disorders, then arrange treatment in order to prevent possible suicides.

 

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $75.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY03 shall revert to the general fund.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

DOH suggests adding Rio Arriba county to the counties eligible for funding under the provisions of the bill since Rio Arriba county has a much higher rate of teenage suicide than does Santa Fe county.  Santa Fe county’s teenage suicide rate is below the state average.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

Santa Fe county’s youth suicide rate was 11.0 from 1996-2000, compared to the state average of 15.7.  However, Rio Arriba county’s youth suicide rate was 70.5 for the same period.

 

RAE/njw:ar

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