Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR Robinson

DATE TYPED 02/01/05 HB

SHORT TITLE Bernalillo Metro Assessment & Treatment

SB 323

ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$1,400.0

Recurring

GF

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

NM Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SB 323 appropriates $1.4 million from the general fund to the DOH for the Bernalillo County

Metropolitan Assessment and Treatment facility for a new transitional housing facility ($400

thousand), and medical services ($1 million).

Significant Issues

The DOH reports SB 323 represents Phase 3 in the Bernalillo County effort to implement a con-

tinuum of services for individuals detained for public intoxication (Phase 1 is detoxification;

Phase 2 is 28-day inpatient treatment). The DOH further report Phase 3 funds will allow the ad-

dition of medical personnel to divert intoxicated individuals from emergency rooms.

The previously known Charter Hospital is now under ownership of Bernalillo County as of June

30, 2004. The program within the facility undergoing renovation is being referred to as the

MATS (Metropolitan Assessment Treatment System) Program. The building will be the future

home of the public detox program and will house a 30-day inpatient treatment program. It may

also house the city-funded ACT team and perhaps be the community’s crisis/triage facility to ac-

Senate Bill 323 -- Page 2

commodate the needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders. Policies are currently being

created by members of the Public Detox work group. Upon completion of the policies, the li-

censing procedure will follow.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

SB 323 supports Program Area 5 Behavioral Health Services, of the DOH Stategic Plan; Strate-

gic Direction: Increase access and choice for behavioral health services.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $1.4 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the gen-

eral fund.

The Executive General Fund recommendation for DOH includes $1,000.0 million to increase

substance abuse programs statewide.

The appropriation requested was not in the agencies budget request reviewed by the LFC.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SB 323 would require the DOH to allocate funds to the Bernalillo County Assessment and

Treatment Services Facility, administer the funds and oversee the programming to insure ac-

countability. After the first year (FY 06), the Behavioral Health Collaborative could integrate the

$1.4 million dollar funding and play a role in the administration.

The AOD does not believe that SB 323 has a fiscal or an administrative impact on the courts.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

None

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

Albuquerque has a need for a local, accessible, and comprehensive continuum of substance

abuse services. According to the NM DOH “Alcohol-Related Hospitalization Charges, New

Mexico, 2002”, Bernalillo County incurred over $22 million in alcohol-related hospitalization

costs.

•

In 2001, 54.2% of those in alcohol treatment located in New Mexico were male.

•

26.8% of the individuals in drug abuse treatment residing in New Mexico during 2001

were female.

•

The largest age group admitted into to a alcohol abuse treatment during 2001 in New

Mexico were between the ages of 36-40 (17.2%).

•

The second largest age group attending alcohol abuse treatment in New Mexico during

2001 were between the ages of 31-35 (15.5%).

Senate Bill 323 -- Page 3

The MFA believes this appropriation would address only a small percentage of the affected com-

munity due to the great need for transitional living facilities in Bernalillo county.

ALTERNATIVES

None

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

The DOH reports the transitional housing and medical services at the Bernalillo County Metro-

politan Assessment and Treatment Facility would not be funded.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

What efforts are being made to coordinate services and seek assistance from hospitals as they

will benefit from the services this facility provides.

Will individuals with drug impairments be allowed to seek transitional housing or treatment ser-

vices at the new facility.

AHA/sb