SB 3 establishes a statewide framework to rebuild New Mexico's behavioral healthcare system and deliver resources where they're needed most

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to broadly expand behavioral healthcare access across New Mexico by a vote of 44-23.

Senate Bill 3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, would establish behavioral health regions to work with local stakeholders to identify existing resources and gaps in access to behavioral healthcare in communities across the state. A Behavioral Health Executive Committee would then distribute funding to address those gaps and build out New Mexico's behavioral healthcare workforce.

"Rebuilding our behavioral healthcare system will help us improve public safety and make sure folks who are struggling can get help when and where they need it," said House sponsor House Majority Whip Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque). "Senate Bill 3 takes a systematic approach, establishing necessary guardrails and oversight, and working with local stakeholders to make sure our investments in behavioral healthcare reach the communities most in need."

This legislation works in tandem with Senate Bill 1, which would create a trust fund for behavioral healthcare initiatives across the state, and Senate Bill 2, which appropriates $200 million in this year's budget to kickstart the fund.

SB 3 will now return to the Senate for the chamber to concur with an amendment made to the bill in the House Health and Human Services Committee. The bill has a total of 18 sponsors, led by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque).

This session, House and Senate Democrats are working together to improve community safety by reducing gun violence, deterring violent crime, and making record investments in behavioral healthcare and substance use treatment programs to give New Mexicans the help they need when they need it.

"Making our state safer is going to require all of us to continue coming together, working across all levels of government in every community, to develop real solutions," said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). "We have worked closely with our Senate colleagues for several months in order to deliver on our promise to develop well-vetted solutions to the public safety and behavioral health challenges facing our state."

House Bill 8, an integrated public safety package, is currently working its way through the Senate, after passing the House of Representative last week.

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.