SENATE BILL 577

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Rod Adair

AN ACT

RELATING TO EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION; REPEALING THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN; ATTACHING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S HEALTH TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TRANSFERRING THE OFFICE OF DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS AND ITS FUNCTIONS TO THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR TRANSFERS OF FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATIONS, MONEY, PROPERTY AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS; AMENDING AND REPEALING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 28-3-6.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2009, Chapter 83, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "28-3-6.1. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON WOMEN'S HEALTH CREATED.--

          A. The "office of the governor's council on women's health" is created and is administratively attached to the [commission on the status of women] department of health.

          B. The office of the governor's council on women's health shall:

                (1) serve as a clearinghouse for education and information on women's health;

                (2) recommend performance measures and outcomes specific to women's health;

                (3) report annually by September 1 to the governor on women's health policy issues;

                (4) assist in developing policy to improve women's health and well-being, including policies that explain and explore the links between women's health and economic security; and

                (5) assist state agencies, including the department of health, to improve access to health care for women.

          C. The governor shall appoint the director of the office of the governor's council on women's health, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.

          D. The governor shall appoint advisors to the office of the governor's council on women's health to represent the geographic diversity of the state as follows:

                (1) one representative from each of the following:

                     [(a) the commission on the status of women;

                     (b)] (a) the department of health;

                     [(c)] (b) the New Mexico health policy commission;

                     [(d)] (c) the children, youth and families department;

                     [(e)] (d) the human services department;

                     [(f)] (e) the Indian affairs department;

                     [(g)] (f) the veterans' services department; and

                     [(h)] (g) the office on African American affairs;

                (2) one representative of providers of women's health services;

                (3) two representatives from rural counties; and

                (4) four representatives of advocacy, community or consumer groups.

          E. Advisors to the office of the governor's council on women's health shall serve at the pleasure of the governor, shall meet at least four times per year and shall serve for two-year terms.

          F. For purposes of conducting business, a majority of the advisors to the office of the governor's council on women's health shall constitute a quorum.

          G. The advisors to the office of the governor's council on women's health may organize statewide meetings and focus groups to involve members of the public further in improving women's health and to identify emerging issues around women's health care delivery and services."

     SECTION 2. Section 28-3-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 292, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

     "28-3-10. OFFICE FOR DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS--CREATION--RESEARCH AND PLANNING FOR DISPLACED HOMEMAKER PROGRAMS.--There is created in the [commission on the status of women] workforce solutions department an "office for displaced homemakers". The office for displaced homemakers shall conduct research and planning for programs to meet the needs of displaced homemakers, which programs may include:

          A. job counseling services specifically designed for a person entering the job market after a number of years as a homemaker;

          B. job training and job placement services, including but not limited to:

                (1) assistance in gaining admission to existing public and private job training programs and opportunities;

                (2) development of training and placement programs for jobs in the private and public sectors, in conjunction with state and local government agencies, private employers and already existing training and placement programs; and

                (3) identification of community needs and fundseeking for creation of new public service jobs which displaced homemakers might fill;

          C. information and assistance with respect to health care, financial matters, education, nutrition and legal problems;

          D. a clearinghouse of information to compile, coordinate and disseminate information about services and programs available to displaced homemakers;

          E. training for service agency personnel who work with displaced homemakers; and

          F. the development of methods and materials aimed at facilitating outreach and communication for displaced homemaker service agencies and programs."

     SECTION 3. Section 28-3-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 292, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:

     "28-3-11. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.--The [director of the commission on the status of women, in conjunction with the] office for displaced homemakers shall submit to the legislature an annual report on the number of displaced homemakers served by existing public and private agencies and shall make recommendations for displaced homemaker programs, which may include:

          A. a plan for the establishment, funding and implementation of regional displaced homemaker service centers in New Mexico; and

          B. recommendations for legislative action."

     SECTION 4. TEMPORARY PROVISIONS--TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATIONS AND PROPERTY--CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.--

          A. On July 1, 2011, all appropriations, money, records, furniture, equipment and other property of the office of the governor's council on women's health shall be transferred to the department of health.

          B. On July 1, 2011, all functions, appropriations, money, records, furniture, equipment and other property of the commission on the status of women relating to the Displaced Homemakers Act and the teamworks program shall be transferred to the workforce solutions department, and all remaining appropriations and money shall revert to the general fund.

          C. On July 1, 2011, contractual obligations of the

commission on the status of women relating to the Displaced Homemakers Act are binding on the workforce solutions department.

          D. On July 1, 2011, contractual obligations of the

commission on the status of women relating to women's health are binding on the department of health.

     SECTION 5. REPEAL.--Sections 9-8-8 and 28-3-1 through 28-3-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 252, Section 9 and Laws 1974, Chapter 90, Sections 1 through 6, as amended) are repealed.

     SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2011.

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