"INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDER" DEFINITIONS

HB 556 amends New Mexico's public school code to explicitly include "community health workers" in the definition of "instructional support provider" (Section 22-1-2(F)) and requires them to meet existing licensing standards for such roles (Section 22-10A-17). This change directly affects community health workers employed in New Mexico public schools, mandating they hold appropriate professional licenses alongside their instructional support provider licensure. The bill updates definitions and licensing requirements to formally integrate community health workers into the existing framework for school support staff. It does not create new requirements but clarifies that community health workers must comply with the same licensing processes as other instructional support providers like counselors or nurses. The bill was introduced by Representative Rebecca Dow and postponed indefinitely in June 2025.