HOUSE BILL 252

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Linda Serrato

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019; REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH USE ALLOWABLE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR LOCAL OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INFORM NEW MEXICANS ABOUT VACCINES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET VACCINATED.

 

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019--FINDINGS--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH--USING ALLOWABLE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR LOCAL OUTREACH EFFORTS.--

          A. The legislature finds that more effort is needed in local areas around the state to increase the number of New Mexicans who are vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019. The legislature also finds that without the benefits of high vaccination rates:

                (1) New Mexicans will continue to die from this pandemic or will require prolonged hospitalizations; and

                (2) the economy will continue to stagnate as government is required to limit contact between people to protect them and others against the disease.

          B. The legislature requests that the department of health use one million dollars ($1,000,000) of allowable federal funds received from federal coronavirus disease 2019 funding for outreach efforts by local health councils using established community organizations to provide written and spoken culturally and linguistically appropriate promotion of vaccinations against the coronavirus disease 2019. Community outreach should target populations that are highly susceptible to the disease or the economic effects of the disease, including rural, indigenous, Hispanic, Black, other communities of color, immigrants and non-English speaking populations.

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