HOUSE BILL 267

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Kandy Cordova

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT; CREATING THE COMPULSIVE GAMBLING COUNCIL; PRESCRIBING DUTIES; PROVIDING FOR MEMBERSHIP.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the Department of Health Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] COMPULSIVE GAMBLING COUNCIL--DUTIES--MEMBERSHIP.--

          A. The "compulsive gambling council" is created. The council is administratively attached to the department pursuant to the Executive Reorganization Act. The council consists of the following fifteen members, all of whom shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor:

                (1) the secretary or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair of the council;

                (2) a member of the governor's staff;

                (3) a member of the gaming control board;

                (4) a member of the board of directors of the New Mexico lottery authority;

                (5) a member of a fraternal organization that sponsors gambling;

                (6) two persons with expertise in the field of compulsive gambling;

                (7) two Native American representatives from a tribe or pueblo with gaming operations;

                (8) two representatives of the non-Native American gaming industry;

                (9) two representatives from the behavioral health profession; and

                (10) two representatives from the general public.

          B. The council shall meet regularly and at the call of the chair.

          C. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum.

          D. Council members shall serve voluntarily and shall receive no per diem for their services or travel expenses.

          E. The council shall:

                (1) develop and implement a New Mexico strategic prevention and treatment of compulsive gambling plan;

                (2) recommend to the department compulsive gambling prevention and treatment standards;

                (3) collaborate with the appropriate state agencies to link compulsive gambling data collection and referral information to crisis response hotlines or youth and domestic violence initiatives;

                (4) collaborate with the department to improve data collection regarding gambling-related suicide, bankruptcies and domestic violence;

                (5) collaborate with the department and the aging and long-term services department to educate New Mexico seniors through prevention training and materials regarding the recognition and treatment of compulsive gambling problems; and

                (6) develop and recommend to the governor a voluntary self-exclusion program.

          F. Beginning in 2008, the council shall submit an annual report to the governor and the appropriate legislative interim committee reporting the key findings and progress on implementation of the New Mexico strategic prevention and treatment of compulsive gambling plan.

          G. Two copies of the annual report shall be filed with the legislative council service library annually beginning in August 2008."

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