HOUSE BILL 153

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

INTRODUCED BY

Patricio Ruiloba

AN ACT

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; REQUIRING THAT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE, EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RECEIVE TRAINING IN SUICIDE RISK IDENTIFICATION, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT--PREVENTION.--

          A. As a condition for initial licensure or certification and, at least once per year, as a continuing education requirement, each of the following professional disciplinary authorities shall require by rule of the disciplinary authority that individuals whom they license or certify complete one hour of training in suicide risk assessment and prevention:

                (1) the board of optometry;

                (2) the board of nursing;

                (3) the chiropractic board;

                (4) the New Mexico board of dental health care;

                (5) the New Mexico medical board;

                (6) the nutrition and dietetics practice board;

                (7) the board of podiatry;

                (8) the New Mexico state board of psychologist examiners;

                (9) the counseling and therapy practice board;

                (10) the board of osteopathic medicine;

                (11) the board of pharmacy;

                (12) the board of examiners for occupational therapy;

                (13) the advisory board of respiratory care practitioners;

                (14) the massage therapy board;

                (15) the physical therapy board;

                (16) the board of nursing home administrators;

                (17) the board of acupuncture and oriental medicine;

                (18) the speech-language pathology, audiology and hearing aid dispensing practices board;

                (19) the athletic trainer practice board;

                (20) the environmental improvement board; and

                (21) the board of social work examiners.

          B. Rules that licensing authorities promulgate in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this section shall conform to the minimum standards the human services department establishes by rule pursuant to Section 3 of this act for training in suicide risk assessment, treatment and prevention.

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] PUBLIC EMPLOYEES--SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT AND PREVENTION TRAINING--MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.--

          A. All public employees shall complete one hour of training in suicide risk assessment and prevention upon being hired, and thereafter at least once per year, that complies with human services department rules promulgated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this act.

          B. An agency shall not require its employees to pay for the training required pursuant to Subsection A of this section.

          C. As used in this section:

                (1) "agency" means the state of New Mexico, any of its political subdivisions, tax-supported educational institutions or a school district; and

                (2) "public employee" means any officer or employee of an agency to whom a salary is paid from public funds for services rendered.

     SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION TRAINING--MINIMUM STANDARDS--RULEMAKING.--

          A. By January 1, 2020, the human services department shall adopt rules establishing minimum standards for the training programs in suicide risk assessment, identification and treatment required pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of this act. The minimum standards shall specify that the training include one hour of empirically supported content as follows:

                (1) suicide risk assessment, including screening and referral;

                (2) treatment and management of risk for suicide;

                (3) content specific to veterans;

                (4) content specific to Native Americans;

                (5) content specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, queer and questioning individuals and identities; and

                (6) content on the assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors.

          B. When adopting rules pursuant to this section, the human services department shall:

                (1) consult with:

                     (a) the affected disciplinary authorities;

                     (b) public and private institutions of higher education;

                     (c) educators;

                     (d) experts in suicide assessment, treatment and management;

                     (e) the veterans' affairs department;

                     (f) the Native American suicide prevention advisory council; and

                     (g) affected professional associations; and

                (2) consider standards related to the best practices registry of the American foundation for suicide prevention and the suicide prevention resource center.

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