44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 1999

RELATING TO HEALTH; CREATING THE NORTHERN NEW MEXICO SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PILOT PROJECT; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. NORTHERN NEW MEXICO SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PILOT PROJECT.--

A. The department of health shall establish the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project.

B. The northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project shall provide inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment to any resident of Rio Arriba or Santa Fe county who voluntarily admits himself. The treatment shall:

(1) provide daily counseling and therapy sessions, including denial education and relapse prevention;

(2) be directed by a medical doctor who is a certified addictionist;

(3) utilize only addiction and behavioral health staff certified or licensed as alcohol and drug abuse counselors or professional clinical mental health counselors;

(4) require criminal background checks and regular urinalyses of all staff;

(5) provide minimal visitor interruption;

(6) extend from three to twelve months, depending upon patient progress, and include an after-care and follow-up component and outcome data;

(7) provide acupuncture and therapeutic drugs as medically indicated on an individual basis;

(8) maintain strict patient confidentiality; and

(9) include a basic employment skills component that provides all support necessary for successful employment.

C. The department of health shall seek federal funding to support and supplement the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project.

D. The department of health shall report to the legislature annually by December 1 on the progress of the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project.

E. The department of health shall coordinate with the human services department to determine whether any patient who participates in the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project is eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families pursuant to the New Mexico Works Act. Eligible patients shall be provided nonmedical substance abuse services that include a job training component with temporary assistance for needy families funding in addition to any other medical treatment provided with state funding. The department of health shall maintain appropriate records and accounting of the expenditure of the temporary assistance for needy families funding.

Section 2. APPROPRIATIONS.--

A. Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 for the purpose of operating the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project. The department of health may use this appropriation to match any federal funding available for this purpose. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

B. Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the temporary assistance for needy families block grant to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 for the purpose of providing nonmedical and job training services to temporary assistance for needy families eligible patients participating in the northern New Mexico substance abuse treatment pilot project. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the temporary assistance for needy families block grant.

Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.