45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO BENEFIT PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATION--PURPOSES.--

A. Eleven million eight hundred twenty thousand dollars ($11,820,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2002 in the following amounts for the following purposes:

(1) seven million dollars ($7,000,000) for an increase in reimbursement rates under the developmental disabilities waiver program in order to provide for staff recruitment and retention efforts, including health insurance coverage, overtime costs and a living wage of a minimum of ten dollars ($10.00) per hour;

(2) three million dollars ($3,000,000) for an increase in the reimbursement rates for services provided exclusively with general fund appropriations, in order to move toward staff salary parity with those services provided under the developmental disabilities waiver program;

(3) one million seven hundred thousand dollars ($1,700,000) to design and implement new models of early intervention services for children, as recommended in recent federal audit findings and to comply with federal law; and

(4) one hundred twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) to expand respite services to provide families and primary care givers with relief from the full-time attention necessary for many persons with developmental disabilities.

B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.