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New Mexico Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 9,506 Active 3 In committee 2,535 Passed 752 Signed 1,992 Failed 305

signed · New Mexico · Senate Oct 7, 2025

SB 2: CRIMINAL COMPETENCY

SB 2 (Criminal Competency) updates New Mexico law to clarify which court handles cases where a defendant's ability to stand trial is questioned. If a metropolitan court (a local court handling less serious cases) determines a defendant is not competent to stand trial, the case must be transferred to a district court - New Mexico’s higher trial court - instead of remaining in the metropolitan court. This change ensures that competency determinations and subsequent proceedings occur in courts with the authority to manage complex legal processes. The bill applies directly to defendants in criminal cases where competency is raised and aims to streamline court handling of such cases. It was passed quickly as an emergency measure in October 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · New Mexico · Senate Oct 7, 2025

SB 1: HEALTH CARE GRANTS & STABILIZATION

SB 1 creates a $50 million fund to provide grants to rural health care providers and facilities in high-need areas, specifically targeting those serving Medicaid patients in counties with under 100,000 residents or designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. The bill allows grants to cover operating losses for existing services at risk of closure or reduction, not for new facilities or construction. Providers must be Medicaid-licensed, demonstrate verified financial need, and commit to continued service during the grant period. The fund is nonreverting, meaning unspent money carries forward, and the bill takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 4: CHILD BEST INTERESTS STANDARD

SB 4 establishes a mandatory "best interests of the child" standard for New Mexico courts handling abuse and neglect cases. The bill requires judges to consider 14 specific factors, including the child's safety, family history of harm or substance abuse, the family's willingness to participate in services, and the child's own fears about returning home. This standard directly affects judges, child welfare agencies, and families involved in these legal proceedings. The key mechanism is a formalized checklist ensuring courts systematically evaluate child safety, family circumstances, and service compliance rather than relying on subjective judgment alone. The policy change aims to create more consistent, child-centered outcomes in these sensitive cases.

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 8: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CHANGES

SB 8 changes venue rules for medical malpractice lawsuits, requiring them to be filed only in the county where the patient received the treatment at issue. It limits recovery from New Mexico's Patient's Compensation Fund, requires fund payments to be made as expenses occur (not all at once), and caps attorney fees in malpractice claims. The bill also creates a new Patient Safety Improvement Fund and removes a requirement for surcharges intended to fund the compensation fund's solvency. These changes directly affect patients filing medical malpractice claims, healthcare providers, and the administration of the Patient's Compensation Fund.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 6: EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO DRUGS

SB 6 redefines child abuse to include knowingly exposing a child to Schedule I or II illegal drugs (like opioids or meth) at birth, making this a criminal offense. Parents or caregivers who allow newborns to test positive for these drugs due to prenatal exposure face felony charges, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses or serious harm. The bill also allows hospitals or healthcare providers to temporarily place newborns showing drug withdrawal symptoms into protective custody without a court order, for up to 24 hours, to ensure immediate safety. This directly affects parents/caregivers with substance use issues and newborns exposed to drugs prenatally, prioritizing infant safety through clearer legal consequences and emergency custody protocols.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 9: INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE

SB 9 enacts New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creating a streamlined process for physicians licensed in one participating state to obtain licenses in other member states. The compact requires physicians to hold a full and unrestricted license in a "state of principal license" (where they reside, practice 25% of the time, or are employed) and mandates that they be licensed in the state where the patient is located during any encounter. Eligible physicians must meet specific criteria, including no criminal convictions for certain offenses and no prior disciplinary actions on their license. This does not alter existing state medical practice laws but provides a new pathway for multi-state licensure to improve healthcare access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 7: CHILD DELINQUENCY CHANGES

SB 7 amends New Mexico's Delinquency Act to change how youth aged 14 and older are handled in the juvenile justice system. It expands definitions of "serious youthful offender" and "youthful offender," removes the requirement for a detention risk assessment before placing a child in detention, and allows 14+ year olds to waive their right to an amenability hearing. The bill also changes court procedures by eliminating restrictions on sentencing options, requiring courts to weigh all amenability factors equally, and permitting the use of sealed juvenile records in pretrial detention or sentencing hearings. These changes directly affect youth facing delinquency charges and alter how courts process cases and manage juvenile confinement.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 5: CYFD SECRETARY NOMINATING COMMISSION

SB 5 creates a five-member nominating commission to select the Secretary of New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). The commission, appointed by legislative leaders and the attorney general, must recommend 3-5 qualified candidates to the governor within 30 days of a vacancy or the secretary's term ending. To qualify for the secretary role, applicants must have a master's degree or law degree, 10+ years of executive-level management experience (including budget oversight), and personnel recruitment expertise. The commission also evaluates the secretary's performance annually and reports to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects the appointment process for the CYFD leadership position.

passed · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 87: NON-CONSENSUAL TOUCHING CLARIFICATION

HB 87 clarifies New Mexico's criminal sexual contact law by removing the requirement that non-consensual touching must involve "unclothed intimate parts." The bill amends the statute to define criminal sexual contact as intentional touching of "intimate parts" (including genital area, groin, buttocks, anus, or breast) without consent, regardless of clothing. This change directly affects victims of sexual assault and law enforcement by making it easier to prosecute cases involving non-consensual touching of covered intimate areas, while maintaining existing definitions and exceptions for psychotherapy. The bill passed the House and moved to the Senate before being postponed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HB 346: HEMP PRODUCTS & SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS

HB 346 bans the sale, possession, advertising, or marketing of semi-synthetic and synthetic cannabinoids (like synthetic marijuana products) in New Mexico. It requires the Environmental Improvement Board to create rules regulating hemp-derived products sold to consumers, including setting THC limits (no more than 0.3% or federal limits, whichever is higher). The bill affects hemp retailers, manufacturers, and consumers by mandating compliance with these new regulations for products like edibles and vape cartridges containing hemp extracts. It also clarifies that hemp products meeting THC limits are exempt from certain food safety laws.

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 58: STUDY PSILOCYBIN-BASED MEDICATION TREATMENT

This House Memorial (HM 58) requests New Mexico's Department of Health to study psilocybin-based medication treatments. The study would examine training requirements for medical professionals, safety testing protocols, regulatory barriers, equity access strategies, and potential licensing frameworks for these treatments. It does not authorize or regulate psilocybin use but aims to inform future policy by gathering evidence on safe, effective, and equitable implementation for New Mexico residents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · House Jun 3, 2025

HM 20: WATER & WASTEWATER OPERATORS

This House Memorial (HM 20) requests the New Mexico House of Representatives recognize certified water and wastewater operators as essential workers and fund a study to explore adding them to state health insurance and retirement benefit programs. It highlights their critical role in maintaining safe drinking water (removing contaminants like lead and PFAS) and treating wastewater to protect public health, ecosystems, and community infrastructure. The memorial does not create new laws but asks for a study on potential benefits, directly affecting certified operators who manage essential water infrastructure. It is a procedural request, not a policy change, and was postponed indefinitely in committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment