HOUSE BILL 137

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Anthony Allison and Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; ENACTING THE COUNTY AND TRIBAL HEALTH COUNCILS ACT; REPEALING THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PLAN ACT.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "County and Tribal Health Councils Act".

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] PURPOSE OF ACT.--The purpose of the County and Tribal Health Councils Act is to improve the health of New Mexicans by encouraging the development of comprehensive, community-based health planning councils to identify and address local health needs and priorities.

     SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the County and Tribal Health Councils Act:

          A. "board" means the board of county commissioners of a county or leadership of a tribe;

          B. "department" means the department of health;

          C. "health council" means a county or tribal health council;

          D. "jurisdiction" means a county or a tribe; and

          E. "tribe" means an Indian nation, tribe, pueblo or chapter located within the boundaries of the state.

     SECTION 4. [NEW MATERIAL] COUNTY AND TRIBAL HEALTH COUNCILS--DESIGNATION.--

          A. Residents of a jurisdiction may create a county or tribal health council to carry out the provisions of the County and Tribal Health Councils Act; provided that:

                (1) a board shall recognize only a single health council for its jurisdiction; and

                (2) two or more boards may collaborate to recognize a common, single health council representing two or more jurisdictions.

          B. A board shall recognize only a county or tribal health council whose members represent a diverse spectrum of community interests, including individuals and public, private and nonprofit entities.

          C. Members of a health council shall elect from among themselves a chair for a term designated by the health council.

          D. Health council members shall not be paid, but they may receive per diem and mileage expenses as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

     SECTION 5. [NEW MATERIAL] HEALTH COUNCIL FUNCTIONS.--

          A. A health council shall prepare a community health plan, updated at regular intervals. A health council shall report its community health plan to the board and to the department.

          B. Each community health plan shall include:

                (1) a county or tribal health assessment and inventory of health resources;

                (2) identification of health priorities determined through independent, community-based planning processes; and

                (3) strategies and resources to address health priorities.

          C. A health council shall:

                (1) monitor health and health care programs and services in order to identify potential gaps and to reduce potential duplication;

                (2) collaborate with other entities to develop programs, networks, partnerships and coalitions as necessary to improve health;

                (3) advise the board in its jurisdiction and other entities regarding policies that affect health;

                (4) facilitate communication among local jurisdictions, state agencies and other entities; and

                (5) identify additional public and private resources to improve health in its respective jurisdiction.

     SECTION 6. [NEW MATERIAL] DEPARTMENT--POWERS AND DUTIES.--The department shall:

          A. in consultation with health councils, develop benchmarks, expectations and mechanisms to ensure the long-term viability of health councils;

          B. in collaboration with universities, other state agencies and other public health entities, provide training, technical assistance and other supports to health councils;

          C. in collaboration with other entities, develop a system to evaluate the effectiveness of health councils and the gathering of necessary evaluation data;

          D. administer funding to support the work of the health councils, including local health council staffing, training and technical assistance, and monitor and evaluate contracts for funding; and

          E. adopt and promulgate rules as necessary to carry out the purposes of the County and Tribal Health Councils Act and to strengthen community-based health planning and self- determination.

     SECTION 7. REPEAL.--Sections 24-1B-1 through 24-1B-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1991, Chapter 113, Sections 1 through 7, as amended) are repealed.

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