SENATE BILL 870

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE; PROVIDING FOR STATE PAYMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE PORTION OF A PREMIUM FOR CERTAIN CHILD CARE WORKERS; ENACTING A SECTION OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ACT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of the Public Assistance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.--The department shall pay the employee portion of a health insurance premium for a child care worker eligible for coverage available through a medicaid health insurance flexibility and accountability waiver when such coverage is offered by a provider that is an eligible child care provider pursuant to the Pre-Kindergarten Act or that accepts children enrolled in health or human service programs pursuant to Chapter 27 NMSA 1978."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the human services department for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to carry out the provisions of Section 1 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the general fund.

- 2 -