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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T



SPONSOR: Stewart DATE TYPED: 03/14/99 HB 185/aHAFC
SHORT TITLE: Youth Suicide Prevention SB
ANALYST: Burkhart


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
-0-



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to



SUMMARY



Synopsis of HAFC Amendment



The House Appropriations and Finance Committee amendment to House Bill 185 removes the appropriation from the bill.



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 185 requires the Department of Health to develop a youth suicide strategy that includes model prevention programs to be implemented in the public schools, public post-secondary educational institutions and programs serving out-of-school youth. In addition, the bill requires the development of a statewide, ongoing, twenty-four hour per day toll-free hotline for crisis intervention, suicide prevention education and the assurance of appropriate emergency assistance response to the person in need.



Significant Issues



The incidence of youth suicide in New Mexico is at seriously high levels. Any interventions that have been shown in the past to work would be extremely useful in the prevention of these tragedies.





FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



Development of the strategy during FY 2000 will determine the total cost of such a program and will enable the legislature to appropriate monies for these services in future years.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



Development of the strategies necessary for a comprehensive youth suicide prevention program will not cause any undue administrative burdens on the Department of Health.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



1. Are there other departments in state government that should be included in the development of such a program?



MB/njw