HB 36, the Accessibility Act, creates the Office of Accessibility within New Mexico's Department of Health to improve access for people with disabilities in state services. The Office will develop accessibility standards, provide training to state agencies on digital and physical accessibility, and assist agencies in identifying barriers in websites, apps, and facilities. State agencies must annually report their accessibility efforts to the Office, which will then issue public reports detailing progress, barriers, and recommendations to the governor and legislature. The bill appropriates $350,000 for the Office's operations during fiscal years 2026-2027.
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People with Disabilities
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.
HB 211 creates a new "Speech-Language Pathology Assistant" license in New Mexico, directly affecting healthcare providers who support speech-language pathologists in schools and clinics. It delays the repeal of the existing "Apprentice" license until January 1, 2028, and requires assistants to maintain an underlying professional license while working under supervision. The bill also mandates that assistants notify the state within 14 days if their underlying license expires, is suspended, or is revoked. These changes update licensing rules to clarify roles and ensure continued professional accountability for assistant-level providers.
HB 104 appropriates $8 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health for fiscal years 2027-2028 to support county and tribal health councils under the County and Tribal Health Councils Act. The bill specifically allocates $1 million to contract for services assisting the Department of Health in supporting these councils. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 would revert to the general fund. This funding directly enables local health councils to operate and engage with state health initiatives.
HB 178 would allocate $3 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health to construct shade structures in rural public parks and recreation areas. The bill directs the Department to prioritize sites with inadequate existing shade, high ultraviolet radiation exposure risk, and cost-effective project plans. Unspent funds at year-end would carry forward to future years instead of reverting to the general fund. This policy directly affects rural communities by reducing sun exposure risks in public outdoor spaces used by residents.
HB 56 appropriates $1 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Veterans' Services Department for fiscal year 2027. The funding directly assists veterans and their families in identifying and accessing existing behavioral health care services. Key provisions include a one-time allocation with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2027. This bill does not create new services but provides resources to help veterans navigate available care options. It is a funding measure, not a policy change affecting service delivery.
HB 11 creates the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact" to allow licensed professionals in these fields to practice across participating states without obtaining new licenses. The bill directly affects audiologists and speech-language pathologists who wish to serve patients in other member states, as well as patients seeking these services. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, requirements for criminal background checks during application, and provisions enabling telehealth services to improve access. The compact preserves each state’s regulatory authority while streamlining cross-state practice, particularly benefiting military families and remote patients. (Note: The bill passed the House but was replaced by a committee substitute; this summary reflects the original bill’s intended purpose.)
Senate Memorial 14 (SM 14) is a non-binding resolution requesting New Mexico's Indian Affairs Department and Commission on the Status of Women to study the historical forced or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color in the state. The study will identify past cases, gather survivor testimony using culturally safe methods, assess current reproductive healthcare access, and recommend actions to address harm. It aims to inform a state truth and reconciliation commission, a public memorial, and a Native American-led reproductive justice program, culminating in a 2027 report to the legislature. The resolution focuses on documenting historical violations and planning healing measures, not implementing new laws.
HB 14 creates the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" to allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that eliminates duplicate licensing requirements, directly affecting dental professionals seeking to work across state lines, including military personnel and their families. Key provisions include standardized background checks, shared disciplinary information between states, and requirements for practitioners to follow each state's scope of practice rules. The bill aims to improve access to dental services in underserved areas and streamline workforce mobility while maintaining state regulatory authority.
HB 173 creates New Mexico's Dementia Care Specialist Program within the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. The program employs or contracts dementia care specialists to provide direct support to individuals with dementia and their caregivers, including cognitive assessments, early detection assistance, caregiver education, and training for healthcare providers. It requires the department to collaborate with health agencies, tribal nations, and community organizations to deliver culturally appropriate services, with a $1 million appropriation for fiscal years 2027-2029. The department must report annually on specialist distribution, services provided, outcomes (like reduced hospitalizations), and cost savings by 2029. This bill directly affects New Mexico residents living with dementia and their families, aiming to improve care coordination and reduce caregiver stress through structured support services.
