NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is
intended only 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 for
other purposes.
The most recent FIR
version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative
Website. The Adobe PDF version includes
all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be
obtained from the LFC in
SPONSOR: |
Sanchez, B. |
DATE TYPED: |
|
|
|
||
SHORT TITLE: |
Adult Mental Health Court Program |
SB |
131 |
||||
|
ANALYST: |
Hayes |
|||||
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
$430.5 |
|
|
Recurring |
General
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Responses
Received From
Administrative
Office of the Courts (
Health
Policy Commission
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
Senate Bill 124
appropriates $430,500 to establish a mental health court at the
Significant Issues
1.
It
is unclear whether the court should be providing such services. Mental health evaluations and arranging
for aftercare when released from jail are not standard court functions. It seems that the Human Services Department
and Corrections Department already provides mental health evaluation and
related services for offenders, along with federal, local and community health
service agencies.
2.
According
to the
3.
According to
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of
$430.5 contained in this bill is a recurring expense
to the general fund. Any unexpended or
unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to
the general fund.
Here is a table
delineating the appropriation amount to each agency noted in the bill:
BERNALILLO
AGENY: |
Appropriation to |
Appropriation to District Attorney |
Appropriation to Public Defender Dept |
TOTAL |
AMOUNT: |
$215,900 |
$101,400 |
$113,200 |
$430,500 |
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation includes
sufficient staff to oversee the program.
BCMC’s court administration will oversee the budgeting and
personnel. The program is designed to
have the same judge and team members assigned to the case from start to end to
provide consistency and stability for the offender.
QUESTIONS
1.
What
role do the District Attorney and Public Defender’s Offices play in this mental
health issue? Explain their proposed
funding in this legislation.
2.
Why
is the court performing mental health functions instead of the
CMH/yr