Senate Bill 1 aims to establish a billion-dollar trust fund for behavioral health initiatives across New Mexico. The Health Care Authority will manage annual disbursements from the fund to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, intervention, prevention, and necessary infrastructure, technology, and workforce support. The fund can also unlock matching funds from federal, local, and private sources related to behavioral health services. It will distribute 5 percent of a rolling three-year average market value annually to a new behavioral health program fund. Senate Bill 1 received unanimous support in the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee on January 29.

"We have the money. We have the flexibility right now, and we know this is a priority issue across the state of New Mexico," said bill sponsor Senator George Muñoz (D – Gallup). "Now is the time to create a recurring revenue source to fund in perpetuity the wide scope of behavioral health investments needed throughout the state to address mental health, substance misuse, crime and homelessness."

Senate Bill 2 proposes a $140 million appropriation to expand behavioral health services throughout New Mexico on a regional basis. It addresses various community needs including planning, diversion, outpatient services, inpatient care, crisis response, mobile units, education on behavioral health services, homelessness issues, corrections discharge processes, equipment and vehicles acquisition, and housing.

Eligible recipients for funding under SB 2 include state agencies, local governments, tribes, and federally qualified health centers. This legislation introduces an innovative approach to delivering behavioral healthcare services statewide.

"SB 2 marks a transformative step forward in addressing the behavioral health needs of our communities," said bill sponsor Benny Shendo (D – Jemez). "This funding will empower regions to tailor solutions that meet their unique challenges ensuring more New Mexicans have access to the care and services they need and deserve."

Senate Bill 3 is considered pivotal in the Senate's comprehensive behavioral health package. It enables the Administrative Office of the Courts to create defined behavioral health regions within counties or judicial districts across New Mexico. Each region must complete sequential intercept resource mapping to identify existing resources and gaps in service provision. These mappings will inform regional plans which unlock state funding aimed at improving and expanding services.

"We are in the process of rebuilding our behavioral healthcare system after it was pretty much dismantled 10 years ago. As we work to rebuild it from the ground up we're going partner with our court system to build a framework that's most effective," said bill sponsor Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D – Santa Fe). "We call Senate Bill 3 the guardrails bill. This legislation will lead to creation of regional plans ensure that money gets where it needs go establish oversight make sure there accountability measures place."

The next hearing for Senate Bills 1 through 3 will be in front of the Senate Finance Committee.