NM Legislative Session Presentation
YEAR
2025
AUTHOR / ORGANIZATION
NM Health Care Authority.pptx - Google Slides
GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
Statewide (New Mexico)
What is this?
This is a legislative session summary presentation from New Mexico's Health Care Authority Behavioral Health Services Division, providing an overview of behavioral health bills passed during the 2025 legislative session. The presentation format suggests it was created for stakeholder briefings to explain new legislative requirements. The document covers seven passed bills, with particular emphasis on SB3's implementation timeline, responsible agencies, and objectives. It does not include methodology as it is a policy summary rather than a research document.
Summary
The 2025 New Mexico legislative session passed seven behavioral health bills that create a comprehensive framework for systems transformation. SB3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, establishes a regional approach to behavioral health care involving all three government branches, requiring each region to identify up to five priorities within a four-year plan. The legislation mandates Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) to divert individuals with mental health and substance use disorders from the criminal justice system into treatment. A new Behavioral Health Executive Committee—chaired by the BHSD Director and including representatives from HCA, AOC, and behavioral health experts—will oversee regional plan approval and quarterly reporting. The legislation addresses workforce barriers by establishing working groups to streamline licensing and creating a universal Medicaid credentialing system by June 2027. SB1 establishes a Behavioral Health Trust Fund for sustainable service expansion, while SB535 creates dedicated 988 Lifeline funding. SB120 permanently eliminates cost-sharing for behavioral health services in private insurance. HB8 expands criminal competency procedures to include involuntary treatment evaluations. For Bernalillo County, this legislation creates the structural framework, funding mechanisms, and regional planning requirements that will drive local behavioral health systems change efforts.
BH Systems Change Recommendations
Explicit Legislative Requirements and Directives: 1. Regional Planning: Each AOC-designated region must develop a four-year plan identifying up to 5 state-funded behavioral health priorities through local collaboration 2. Sequential Intercept Mapping: Regions must implement SIM as a cross-system approach to identify gaps and resources for diverting individuals from criminal justice into treatment 3. Workforce Pipeline: Regions must work with local authorities to create workforce pipelines for behavioral health services 4. Standards Compliance: All regional plans must meet BHSD behavioral health standards of service 5. Crisis Integration: State agencies managing 988 and 911 must establish shared communication and collaborative system integration 6. Credentialing Reform: Establish working groups of licensing boards and create universal Medicaid credentialing by June 2027 7. Gap Analysis: Conduct adult behavioral health services gap analysis every two fiscal years starting July 2027 8. Regional Reporting: Designated government entities must provide annual written reports on services, performance measures, and gaps in care to all three government branches
How to Use for Systems Planning
What this report IS useful for: - Understanding the legislative framework that will govern behavioral health systems change in New Mexico through 2027 and beyond - Identifying specific deadlines, responsible agencies, and required deliverables for regional planning - Planning local advocacy and engagement around regional plan development and priority-setting - Understanding new funding mechanisms and how regional appropriations can be accessed and repurposed What this report DOES NOT provide: - Specific regional boundaries or which region Bernalillo County will be assigned to - Detailed implementation guidance or standards (BHSD standards were due June 1, 2025) - Current baseline data on services, gaps, or workforce capacity - Specific dollar amounts appropriated through HB2 - Guidance on how local organizations can participate in regional planning processes
Key Facts & Data Points
- 7 behavioral health bills passed in 2025 session - SB3 requires each region to identify up to 5 state-funded priorities within a four-year plan - Behavioral Health Executive Committee will meet quarterly with public meetings - By June 30, 2027: Government entity designated in each region to report on services and gaps - By June 30, 2027: Universal BH provider credentialing process for Medicaid established - Starting July 1, 2027: Gap analysis of adult behavioral health services conducted every 2 years - Behavioral Health Trust Fund effective July 1, 2027 with 5% available for IT and workforce costs - Up to 5% of regional funds may be used for behavioral health emergencies - BHSD requested 22 additional staff positions for implementation - Regional appropriations may be used up to 4 years in length
Priority Services & Findings
**Mental Health / Crisis Care** - SB535 establishes 988 Lifeline Fund through telecommunications surcharge increase - 988 and 911 coordination required between HCA and county/public safety authorities - HB8 expands criminal competency procedures to include involuntary treatment evaluation criteria - SB120 permanently eliminates cost-sharing for inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient mental health services **SUD Organizations** - Sequential Intercept Mapping mandated to divert people with substance misuse from criminal justice into treatment - SB120 eliminates cost-sharing for detoxification and all behavioral health medications - Regional plans must address substance use services as part of five identified priorities **Integrated Primary Care** - SB53 allows prescribing psychologists with 4+ years experience to prescribe psychotropics independently - SB252 expands telehealth to licensed social workers, certified peer support workers, and Medicaid-licensed practitioners - Universal credentialing system will reduce barriers to provider enrollment across MCOs
Immediate Actions for Systems Planners
-Contact AOC to determine Bernalillo County's designated behavioral health region and timeline for regional planning engagement -Review BHSD behavioral health standards of service issued June 1, 2025 to understand compliance requirements for regional plans -Identify local stakeholders who should participate in regional planning and Sequential Intercept Mapping processes -Inventory current behavioral health services and gaps in anticipation of required regional reporting and gap analysis -Engage with local criminal justice partners to prepare for SIM implementation and justice diversion coordination -Connect with 911 administrators to initiate 988/911 coordination planning as required by SB3 -Monitor Behavioral Health Executive Committee quarterly public meetings for updates on regional designation and plan approval processes -Assess workforce development needs and opportunities to contribute to regional workforce pipeline requirements
Key Contacts
**/ - Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) = - Behavioral Health Executive Committee = - Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) **/ - Health Care Authority (HCA) = - Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) **/ - Legislative Health & Human Services Committee (LHHSC) = - Medicaid Assistance Division (MAD)