Education (Student Health)

Senate Memorial 32 requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study transportation barriers for students in foster care. It specifically examines current challenges school districts face in funding transportation to keep these students in their schools of origin, including unclear reimbursement processes and gaps in state and federal funding. The study will analyze existing barriers, review recent proposals (like reimbursing travel costs for foster families), and identify how to ensure consistent funding. This memorial does not create new law but aims to inform future policy decisions by the committee. It affects foster care students, school districts, and child welfare agencies by addressing a key factor in their school attendance.

HB 34 updates New Mexico's school nurse licensure rules to clarify that charter schools must follow the same requirements as public school districts. It establishes three license levels: Level One (a 3-year provisional license requiring mentorship and annual evaluations for new nurses without 3+ years of experience), Level Two (a 9-year license for nurses who complete Level One or have 3+ years of experience), and Level Three (a 9-year license requiring advanced education and leadership skills). The bill sets minimum salaries for each level equal to corresponding teacher salary grades and mandates annual competency reviews by school districts or charter schools. These changes apply to all school nurses employed in New Mexico public and charter schools starting July 1, 2026.

SB 123 allocates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Public Education Department to provide grants to public schools for purchasing, installing, testing, or maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The funding is restricted to schools meeting specific requirements under state law and excludes urban-area schools from 2027 grants, with a maximum of $400,000 spent annually through fiscal year 2029. Unspent funds by 2029 will revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects public schools seeking AED equipment funding, with no new mandates beyond the existing legal requirements for school AED programs.

HB 159 establishes a two-year pilot program using $1 million in state funds to provide free, evidence-based mental health support for K-12 students and families in New Mexico. The program will offer mental health education, self-management tools, and care navigation services through a dedicated platform. It requires the Public Education Department to contract implementation services and submit an impact report to the legislative education committee by 2028. The bill directly affects all public school students and families in New Mexico, with funding limited to fiscal years 2027-2028.

SB 125 modifies how school districts and charter schools fund employee insurance. It requires these entities to cover at least 80% of insurance costs for lower-paid staff (under $50,000 salary), 70% for middle-paid staff ($50k-$60k), and 60% for higher-paid staff ($60k+), eliminating previous waivers that allowed them to opt out of the Public School Insurance Authority. The bill also mandates reference-based pricing for hospital services in state health plans, requiring hospitals to charge no more than set rates for covered care. This directly affects school employees and school districts by standardizing their insurance contribution requirements and controlling healthcare costs.

SB 191, the Seizure Safe Schools Act, requires New Mexico schools to provide trained staff for students with seizure disorders. It mandates annual training for all school employees (including bus drivers) on recognizing seizures and first aid by December 2026, and ensures each school with affected students has at least two trained personnel (school nurses or volunteers) to administer medications and use medical devices. Schools must implement individualized "seizure action plans" provided by parents, detailing medical needs, accommodations, and emergency protocols for all school activities. The bill applies directly to students with seizure disorders, school staff, and school boards, focusing on concrete safety protocols rather than policy debates. (Note: This is a proposed bill pending in committee as of January 2026.)