New Mexico legislature passes Behavioral Health Trust Fund bill
Senate Bill 1 heads to governor’s desk after House approval
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved Senate Bill 1, a measure aimed at creating a long-term funding source for behavioral health services across the state. The bill passed Friday with bipartisan support in a 46-19 vote and now moves to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk for consideration.
Senate Bill 1 establishes the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to support mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, and intervention programs. The fund would distribute 5% of its annual value to finance these programs and invest in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development to expand behavioral health services. It could also help the state secure matching funds from federal, local, and private sources.
“No one should have to make 10 calls to find an appointment when they need behavioral health care, and that’s the reality that we are trying to change,” said House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, who sponsored the bill in the House. “Senate Bill 1 provides a sustainable, long-term funding source so we can meet New Mexicans’ needs today and for many years to come.”
The measure is part of a broader effort to strengthen behavioral health care in the state. It works in conjunction with Senate Bill 2, which would allocate $200 million to launch the trust fund, and Senate Bill 3, which proposes a framework for rebuilding behavioral health services tailored to community needs.
Senate Bill 1 has 19 bipartisan sponsors, including Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, and Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos.
House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, said the legislation is part of an ongoing effort to improve public safety and behavioral health care access.
“Throughout the interim, we worked closely with our colleagues in the Senate to develop a multi-faceted plan to address our state’s behavioral healthcare needs and improve public safety statewide,” Martínez said. “This session, we have worked quickly and thoughtfully to deliver on our promise to advance meaningful legislation that will make our communities safer right away and address long-standing gaps in services for this generation and the next.”
Additionally, the Senate passed House Bill 8, an integrated public safety package, on Friday. The bill will return to the House for concurrence on Senate amendments.