SENATE BILL 556

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ALLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ASSIST IN FUNDING COCHLEAR IMPLANT SURGERY; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COCHLEAR IMPLANT SURGERY--SPECIAL EDUCATION.--A school district may provide special education funding for cochlear implant surgery for children in situations where the school district, in consultation with a physician, can substantially demonstrate that the student's ability to hear and participate would improve and that the cost of the surgery would be offset by the savings in special education costs that would otherwise be expended."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for expenditure in fiscal year 2005 to create a cochlear implant surgery center with an emphasis on school-aged children whose hearing and participation in school would improve and which would provide long-term savings compared to special education costs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2005 shall revert to the general fund.

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