NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Conflicts with Senate Bill 2

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Human Services Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFC Amendment

The Senate Finance Committee amended Senate Bill 480 to strike the appropriations to the Southern New Mexico Family Outreach Center and to make technical corrections to ensure all services provided are allowable under TANF regulations.

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 480 amends the New Mexico Works Act to create the Southern New Mexico Family Outreach Center. Appropriations of $5.4 million from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant and $1,671.0 from the general fund are made to fund the Center.

Significant Issues

Senate Bill 480 gives the Human Services Department (Department) the authority to refer participants of the New Mexico Works Act (Act) to the Southern New Mexico Family Outreach Center (Center) for intensive twelve week residential or day training, and for rehabilitation programs. The services the Center will provide to participants of the Act are: nonmedical substance abuse treatment; pre-pregnancy counseling; domestic violence counseling treatment; job training; job readiness; parenting classes; money management classes; and life skills training. The Department is directed to suspend cash assistance and food stamp payments for participants who reside at the Center. The Department is also directed to provide necessary child-care and transportation services to participants receiving services from the Center.

The Center will also operate a separate program to provide the following services to New Mexico residents: disability evaluations; occupational therapy; physical therapy; speech and hearing diagnosis and therapy; substance abuse treatment including detoxification; work injury rehabilitation; brain injury rehabilitation; and family counseling.

The Northern New Mexico Rehabilitation Center will provide the following services to any New Mexico citizen: physical therapy; speech and hearing diagnoses and therapy; and family counseling services.

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