REASONABLE ASSURANCE FOR HIGHER ED EMPLOYEES

HB 67 defines "reasonable assurance" for higher education employees to prevent denial of unemployment benefits during academic breaks. It affects faculty and staff at New Mexico educational institutions who have a clear expectation of returning to similar or higher-level roles after summer or semester breaks. The bill clarifies that benefits cannot be denied if an employee has a written, oral, or implied offer of continued employment for the next academic term, based on historical reemployment patterns and reasonable anticipation of availability. The bill passed the House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate on June 3, 2025.