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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Ezzell
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2/06/07
HB 463
SHORT TITLE CYFD Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs
SB
ANALYST Lucero
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY07
FY08
$20.0
Recurring
General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Relates to SB164, SB197, and HB375.
Relates to Appropriation in the General Appropriation Act
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)
FY07
FY08
FY09 3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
Total
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)
Department of Health (DOH)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 463 appropriates twenty thousand ($20,000) from the general fund to Children, Youth
and Families Department for expenditure in fiscal year 2008 to contract with a community-based
organization in Dexter to increase social interactions for children and young adults with autism
spectrum disorders and to provide training to staff and caregivers.
pg_0002
House Bill 463 – Page
2
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of twenty thousand ($20,000) contained in this bill is a recurring expense to
the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year
2008 shall revert to the general fund.
The appropriation is not part of the Children, Youth and Families Department’s request and is
not included in the Executive recommendation of the Children, Youth and Families Department.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Autism is the fastest growing low incidence disability (US Department of Education 1999).
Prevalence rate in New Mexico is estimated to be 3.6 per 1,000 (National Survey of Children’s
Health 2003-04), approximately 1,813 children under the age of 18 with autism (NM Treatment
Service Data 2004). Autism by its very nature is a complex disorder requiring a specific
interdisciplinary team approach. It is a tremendous challenge for rural communities to provide
services and trained individuals to provide those services. Evidence-based research is clear that
early and intensive intervention and treatment is critical to overall prognosis of children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders (SWAN, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2004).
There are children and youth with autism spectrum disorders in Chavez Country (Southwest
Autism Network data).
The Governor’s funding package for DOH includes $750,000 for autism multidisciplinary
evaluations and $1,000,000 for autism training and outreach, which would be made available
statewide.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
None identified.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
If passed, the bill will have a minimal administrative impact on children, youth and families
department that the bill does not address.
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
Relates to: SB 164, which would provide funding for training of parents and professionals, and
skill building direct services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders. SB 197
which would improve insurance coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorders who
are not Medicaid eligible.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
The bill specifies the appropriation is intended to “contract with a community-based organization
in Dexter."
“Caregivers" is not defined.
pg_0003
House Bill 463 – Page
3
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
CYFD has previously contracted with other community-based organizations to provide equine
based therapy for children with autism. At this time, CYFD’s experience demonstrates that
expansion of equine-based and related therapies for this population requires a scientific
evaluation of the service and how it is best applied to meet the needs of this target population
The bill does not define an upper age limit for “young adults."
Safety issues may preclude the inclusion of young children in this program.
Rural children in New Mexico do not have easy access to services for ASD. Rural areas have
few professionals with the necessary training in autism services and little opportunity for training
opportunities to increase skills.
ALTERNATIVES
The bill could be amended to have the funding appropriated to DOH instead of CYFD. DOH
currently provides programming for autism.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
Status Quo.
DL/csd