This bill amends the structure and operational framework of the Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative in New Mexico. Key changes include the removal of certain agency representatives from the collaborative, specifically the secretaries of aging and long-term services, finance and administration, workforce solutions, public education, and transportation, while adding representatives from early childhood education and care, the New Mexico behavioral health providers association, and the administrative office of the courts. The collaborative will now be chaired by the secretary of health care authority and is administratively attached to the office of the governor. Additionally, the bill establishes a Director of the Collaborative Nominating Committee, which will be responsible for selecting the director of the collaborative from a list of qualified nominees.

The bill also mandates that the collaborative meet publicly at least quarterly and emphasizes the importance of public input in its operations. It outlines the collaborative's responsibilities, including identifying statewide behavioral health needs, planning service delivery, and ensuring the availability of services. Furthermore, it requires the collaborative to submit regular reports to the legislative finance committee, detailing its performance and the adequacy of mental health services across the state. The bill repeals a previous section of law and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025, for its provisions.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24A-3-1, 24A-3-2