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

SPONSOR Rodriguez

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/1/07

HB

SHORT TITLE First Responder Stress Reduction Study

SB 614

ANALYST Peery-Galon

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$315.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

No Responses Received From

Public Regulation Commission (PRC)

New Mexico Municipal League (NMML)

New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 614 appropriates $315.0 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety to

be expending in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 for the purpose of funding a pilot program for stress

reduction and stress management training for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency

medical personnel, tribal police and other first responders throughout the state, using Santa Fe-

based clinical staff with expertise in treating acute and post-traumatic stress disorders to educate

personnel in at least seven multiple staff departments and establishing a continuing education

credit credential for such training. The proposed legislation has an emergency clause that it is

necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $315.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall revert to the

general fund.

Senate Bill 614 – Page

2

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

DOH states the proposed legislation has efforts similar to activities being provided in part by the

department’s Epidemiology and Response Division’s Bureau of Health Emergency Management

(BHEM). DOH reports the course “Yoga and Meditation Technology to Manage Critical Inci-

dent Stress" has been taught to several hundred first responders located in the upper Rio Grande

corridor, including Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Espanola, Albuquerque and Taos. DOH reports the

Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) and BHEM coordinate crisis counseling training in

response sot actual disasters and as part of the State’s public health preparedness program. DOH

strongly encourages the training in the proposed legislation be coordinated with the department,

BHEM, BHSD and the Behavioral Health Collaborative.

DOH states the full spectrum of stress management techniques range from simple techniques to

deal with normal reactions to an abnormal situation, such as trauma, emergency or disaster-

related situations, experienced by most persons and responders, to manifestation of clinical dis-

orders, such as acute or post-traumatic stress syndrome. DOH expresses that it is important that

the training offered teaches the differences between the two extremes.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

DOH states the proposed legislation supports the department’s strategic health plan goals to in-

crease and fortify human and material resources to respond to health emergencies and prepare

New Mexico communities to respond to public health emergencies.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DPS notes the proposed legislation does not specify what unit within the department is to over-

see, manage or track personnel trained in stress reduction and management.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

DOH states the proposed legislation would be strengthened by describing how the proposed ap-

propriation is to be spent and the activities to be supported

RPG/mt