Summary:

 Senate Bill 190 (SB190)  Health  Care Authority and also creating the Interagency Homelessness Reduction Task Force. In addition, the Homeless Reduction Advisory Council is created. An appropriation is also made in this legislation. 

Legislation Overview:

  Senate Bill190 (SB190) the various divisions of the Health Care Authority is listed with the new addition of the “Homeless Reduction Division”.
The Homelessness Reduction Division of the Authority shall be led by the Director of Homelessness Reduction, who shall lead the state's comprehensive efforts related to homelessness prevention and serve as a policymaker and spokesperson on homelessness prevention, including coordinating the state's efforts through legislation, rules and budgets, and shall communicate with federal and local experts on issues related to homelessness. The
Homelessness Reduction Division shall: 
(1)  develop and facilitate the implementation of a statewide strategic homelessness reduction plan directed at (a)  decreasing homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization in the state; (b)  improving health and human services outcomes for persons who experience homelessness; and (c)  strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability; 
(2)  create a statewide data system, which shall be known as the "Homeless Data Integration System", that shall collect local data through homeless management information systems with the goal of matching data on homelessness to programs impacting homeless recipients of state programs; 
(3)  specify the form and substance of the required data elements of the homeless data integration system and may, as required by operational necessity, amend or modify data elements, disclosure formats or disclosure frequency; 
(4)  identify mainstream resources, benefits and services that can be accessed to prevent and end homelessness in New Mexico; 
(5)  coordinate efforts to reduce homelessness across state agencies; 
(6)  serve within state government and in the state at large as an advocate for persons experiencing homelessness; and 
(7)  provide leadership for and collaborate with persons developing and implementing local plans to end homelessness in New Mexico, including the Homelessness Reduction Advisory Council.
The Division is to create the Homeless Data Integration System to which data is to be collected in a manner consistent with federal law and will not be subject to inspection under the Public Records Act.
The "Interagency Homelessness Reduction Task Force" is created and is administratively attached to the Authority.  The task force consists of the following members: 
(1)  the Director of the Homelessness Reduction Division of the Authority; 
(2)  the Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico Finance Authority or the Chief Executive Officer's designee:
(3)the Secretary of Economic Development or the Secretary's designee; (4)  the Secretary of fFnance and Administration or the Secretary's designee; 
(5)  the Secretary of Public Education or the Secretary's designee; 
(6)  the Secretary of Higher Education or the Secretary's designee; 
(7)  the Secretary of Indian Affairs or the Secretary's designee; 
(8)  the Secretary of Workforce Solutions or the Secretary's designee; 
(9)  the Secretary of Corrections or the Secretary's designee; 
(10)  the Secretary of Veterans' Services or the Secretary's designee; 
(11)  the Secretary of Children, Youth and Families or the Secretary's designee; 
(12)  the Secretary of Early Childhood Education and care or the Secretary's designee; 
(13)  the Secretary of Aging and Long-term Services or the Secretary's designee; 
(14)  the Secretary of Public Safety or the Secretary's designee; 
(15)  the Secretary of Health or the Secretary's designee; and 
(16)  the Chair of the Homelessness Reduction Advisory Council.
The Task Force shall advise the Division of initiatives related to reducing homelessness as to be found in a state plan. Recommendation as to policy, resources, implementation and collaboration, resource distribution, regulation, and solicit feedback are required of the Task Force. 
On or before October 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Interagency Homelessness Reduction Force shall submit a report to the Governor, the appropriate interim legislative committee, the Legislative Finance Committee and the Homelessness Reduction Division to include: the Task Force’s work, recommendations, and key outcomes and measures.
Another new Section creates the "Homelessness Reduction Advisory Council" and is administratively attached to the Authority.  The Advisory Council shall advise and make recommendations to the Interagency Homelessness Reduction Task Force and the Director of the Homelessness Reduction Division of the Authority. Recommendations from the Council are to include: the reduction of institutionalization, improving health care, and developing goals for the statewide plan.
Approximately, eighteen members are to be appointed by the Governor representing a wide range of stakeholders in the homelessness reduction arena.
On or before September 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, the Homelessness Reduction Advisory Council shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Interagency Homelessness Reduction Task Force.
One million dollars ($1,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the Health Care Authority  for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 to fund the operation of the homelessness reduction division of the Health Care Authority , the interagency homelessness reduction task force and the homelessness reduction advisory council.