Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 21-04: A Resolution Opposing House Bill 4 of the First Session of the 55th Legislature; Urging the New Mexico Legislature to Provide More Resources for Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment, Since Behavioral Health Issues are the Root Cause of Many Civil Rights Claims Against Local Governments; and Recommending Damage Caps on Any New Civil Rights Cause of Action as Well as Funding for Any Increased Costs Associated with it.
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt the amended version of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 21-04: A Resolution Opposing the House Judiciary Committee Substitute for House Bill 4 of the First Session of the 55th Legislature; Urging the New Mexico Legislature to Provide More Resources for Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment, Since Behavioral Health Issues are the Root Cause of Many Civil Rights Claims Against Local Governments; and Recommending Damage Caps on Any New Civil Rights Cause of Action as Well as Funding for Any Increased Costs Associated with it.
Body
Chair Ryti and Councilor Reagor requested that this item be considered by Council. The intent of the original resolution was to express the County Council’s belief that House Bill 4 should not be adopted by the Legislature for the reasons stated in the resolution. After the creation and publication of this resolution (shown in Attachment B), changes were made by the House Judiciary Committee (HJC), who substituted a revised version of the bill in place of the original HB-4. This HJC Substitute was then passed by the NM House of Representatives and forwarded to the NM Senate for their consideration. In order to appropriately express the County's position on this substitute legislation, the proposed Resolution was revised. Attachment B illustrates the original language contemplated prior to the House's action, Attachment C contains an Amended Resolution 21-04 that has been updated to reflect the changes to HB-4.
Alternatives
Council could choose to not approve the amended resolution, or to direct staff to alter the resolution and return with a revised version.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
There is not anticipated fiscal or staff impact related to the approval of this resolution beyond the administrative tasks of recording this action.
Attachments
A - Publication Notice for Los Alamos Resolution No. 21-04
B - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution 21-04
C - Amended Resolution 21-04