SB 220 sets new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services in New Mexico: $23.50 per hour for consumer-delegated services and $19.78 per hour for consumer-directed services. It requires personal care providers receiving Medicaid payments to spend at least 70% of those funds on direct care worker costs, including wages, benefits, training, and supervision. The bill appropriates $51.4 million to update the reimbursement schedule and mandates providers to maintain records proving compliance. This directly affects personal care service agencies that contract with Medicaid to support individuals with daily living needs.
This Senate Memorial (SM 21) requests New Mexico's Department of Health to study the potential implementation of overdose prevention centers. It directs the health department to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing drug overdose deaths - particularly in communities disproportionately impacted like Native American and Black residents - and identify necessary legal and regulatory changes. The study must be completed by November 2026, with a report submitted to the legislative health committee and finance committee. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a law that would immediately create such centers.
SB 254 appropriates $2.8 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Information Technology for fiscal year 2027 and beyond. The funds cover subscriber fees for municipal, county, and tribal public safety agencies (including those providing law enforcement, fire, medical, and emergency services) using the state's digital trunked radio communications system. Unspent funds will not revert to the general fund, ensuring ongoing support for these agencies' critical communication needs.
HB 114 appropriates $1 million from the general fund to expand New Mexico's Double Up Food Bucks program for fiscal year 2027. The bill directly helps SNAP participants by doubling their purchasing power for meat, nuts, eggs, and fresh fruits/vegetables at New Mexico farmers' markets. It requires the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University to manage the funds, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by year-end. This concrete funding increase aims to increase access to fresh, healthy food for low-income residents at local farmers' markets.
SB 70 creates a two-year universal basic income pilot program in New Mexico for pregnant individuals. It provides $1,500 monthly to eligible participants (pregnant people with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level) while requiring home visits from early childhood services, health surveys, and prenatal care compliance. The program, funded by $80 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2028, includes a control group for comparison. The Department of Health will evaluate financial impacts on participants and report findings to the legislative committee by December 2028. This is strictly a research pilot, not a permanent policy change.
SB 79 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health for mosquito surveillance, prevention, and control efforts during fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The bill specifically allows the Department to distribute up to $1.5 million in grants to local governments and state educational institutions for mosquito-related projects. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 must return to the general fund. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, directly supporting public health agencies and local entities managing mosquito risks.
HB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.
HB 236 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for its "Pathways Statewide Collaborative" program. The funding supports health professional pathway programs, including STEM education and health sciences training, as well as youth leadership development activities. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must be returned to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM Health Sciences Center programs and the students participating in these pathway initiatives.
HB 44 (Dental & Dental Hygienist Compact) proposes to create a multi-state agreement allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that would let qualified professionals work temporarily in other member states, reducing duplicative licensing requirements. The bill also requires state and federal criminal background checks for license applicants, as amended in the Dental Health Care Act. This aims to improve access to dental care, address workforce shortages, and facilitate mobility for military members and their families. The bill is currently under review by the House Health & Human Services and Judiciary Committees.
HB 156 would repeal specific vaccination-related provisions from New Mexico's 2025 First Special Session laws (Laws 2025, 1st S.S., Ch. 5, §§ 8-13). These repealed sections would have otherwise taken effect on July 1, 2026, governing certain vaccination policies. The bill removes these provisions from state law, effectively eliminating the requirements they established. As of now, the bill has passed committee hearings but remains pending legislative action.
