HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 290

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

AN ACT

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS; REQUIRING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION OF THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A PILOT PROGRAM PROVIDING OPIOID AGONIST TREATMENT TO INMATES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES WHO WERE RECEIVING OPIOID AGONIST TREATMENT UPON INCARCERATION; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] OPIOID AGONIST TREATMENT--BUPRENORPHINE--METHADONE--REPORTING.--

          A. The behavioral health services division of the human services department shall conduct a two-year pilot program to test the effectiveness of providing opioid agonist therapy to inmates who, at the time of incarceration, were using buprenorphine or methadone under the care of a health care provider.

          B. The pilot program shall be conducted in adult correctional facilities and local jails in Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and San Juan counties.

          C. The opioid agonist treatment shall be provided to the inmate in an amount and manner that is consistent with patient preference and medical best practices for avoiding withdrawal and the ongoing treatment of opioid dependence.

          D. The behavioral health services division shall contract for the provision of opioid agonist treatment from a health care provider with demonstrated competence in the provision of opioid agonist treatment.

          E. The behavioral health services division shall measure the effectiveness of the pilot program in assisting inmates and former inmates in achieving:

                (1) graduation from opioid treatment programs;

                (2) preventing opioid withdrawal; and

                (3) preventing opioid overdose.

          F. By November 1, 2019 and November 1, 2020, the director of the behavioral health services division shall report the outcome measures required pursuant to Subsection E of this section to the governor and the legislative health and human services committee.

          G. As used in this section, "health care provider" means an individual or entity that is authorized under state law to dispense or administer opioid agonist treatment.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Three million dollars ($3,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the human services department for expenditure in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to fund the behavioral health services division's pilot program providing opioid agonist treatment to inmates pursuant to Section 1 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2021 shall revert to the general fund.

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