Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 61 is a non-binding request to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department, not a law. It asks the department to study and implement autobiographical storytelling as a trauma-informed strategy to support foster children. Specifically, it requests collaboration with speech-language pathologists and mental health providers to train caregivers, help children create personal stories (focusing on present experiences, not past trauma), and develop crisis plans for emotional distress. The effort targets foster children in New Mexico - where 2,000-2,600 children enter the system annually - who face higher risks of language delays and emotional challenges due to adverse experiences.

Maddy summaryHB 183 adjusts retirement eligibility requirements for magistrate judges in New Mexico. It increases the required years of service from five to eight for magistrates who joined the system on or after July 1, 2014, to qualify for normal retirement at age 65. The bill also updates fund administration rules, requiring investment income to be credited to the Magistrate Retirement Fund and clarifying how different account types (like member contributions and employer funds) are managed. These changes directly affect magistrate judges who joined after 2014, altering their path to retirement benefits. The bill passed the legislature but received a pocket veto on April 14, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Mexico optometrists' scope of practice to include specific minor in-office procedures, such as removing superficial eyelid lesions, treating corneal abrasions, and performing certain laser treatments for eye conditions. It also requires the Board of Optometry to establish certification standards for optometrists using prescription drugs or laser procedures, including developing qualifications and maintaining annual records of certified practitioners. The board gains new duties, such as administering these certifications, keeping detailed records of licensees, and setting requirements for advanced services. This directly affects optometrists (who gain expanded clinical authority), the Board (which gains administrative responsibilities), and patients (who may access more eye care services from optometrists).

Maddy summaryHB 240 expands New Mexico's drinking water funding by allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide grants (not just loans) for constructing or rehabilitating drinking water facilities. It directly affects local water systems, including municipalities, counties, water districts, and community water providers. Key changes include extending loan repayment periods, requiring annual reports from the Finance Authority and Environment Department, and renewing the authority to transfer up to one-third of certain grants into revolving loan funds. The bill modifies existing law to streamline access to capital for water infrastructure upgrades while maintaining federal compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 212, the "Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act," prohibits the sale in New Mexico of consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of items like food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, carpets, and cleaning products. The bill requires these products to disclose PFAS content and undergo testing, while authorizing the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt specific rules banning PFAS in certain products. Violations could result in penalties, though the law allows for "currently unavoidable uses" where alternatives aren't available.

Maddy summaryHB 19, the Trade Ports Development Act, creates a framework for developing trade ports in New Mexico to improve cargo movement and supply chain efficiency. It establishes criteria for designating "trade port districts" (requiring proximity to highways, railroads, airports, and economic benefits for disadvantaged communities) and sets standards for approving projects (like cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and workforce development). The bill authorizes grants and loans from a new state fund, allows public-private partnerships between government and businesses, and directs existing tax revenue (including motor vehicle excise tax distributions) toward these projects. It directly affects local communities, businesses, and state agencies like the Economic Development Department, aiming to boost regional economic growth through infrastructure development.

Maddy summaryHB 89 amends New Mexico's Graduate Scholarship Act to expand access for underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and people with disabilities. It changes scholarship funding to cover 100% of tuition and fees (previously a fixed $7,200) and requires recipients to maintain a 3.0 GPA while completing at least six credit hours per semester. Recipients must also complete 10 hours per week of unpaid work (internship or assistantship) at approved institutions or agencies. The bill caps funding at eight semesters or until a terminal degree is earned, directly affecting New Mexico graduate students at eligible state universities.

Maddy summaryHB 56 requires New Mexico's Medicaid program to reimburse birth centers at the same rate as hospitals for equivalent services provided to Medicaid recipients. This applies specifically to freestanding birth centers (not hospital-attached facilities) that provide low-risk deliveries, ensuring these centers receive equal payment for services like prenatal care and childbirth. The bill directs the Secretary of Health Care Authority to adopt rules implementing this equal reimbursement policy. It directly affects birth centers seeking Medicaid reimbursement and Medicaid recipients accessing care at these facilities. The law aims to create financial parity between birth centers and hospitals under the state's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryHB 178 amends New Mexico's Nursing Practice Act to clarify which nurses can administer general anesthesia, anesthetics, and sedatives, directly affecting registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice nurses (including nurse anesthetists). The bill defines specific scope-of-practice boundaries for each nurse category and updates licensing procedures to align with these clarifications. It also expands the Board of Nursing's authority, modifies disciplinary processes, and mandates confidentiality for communications related to potential disciplinary actions. These changes aim to provide clearer, more consistent guidelines for nursing practice and administrative procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 131 shifts oversight of caregiver background checks from the New Mexico Department of Health to the Health Care Authority. It expands the list of disqualifying felony convictions (including crimes like child abuse, sexual offenses, and fraud) and allows the Health Care Authority to add more disqualifying offenses through rules. Care providers must conduct nationwide criminal history screenings using fingerprints before hiring caregivers, with results kept confidential. The bill affects all care providers (e.g., hospitals, home care agencies) and caregivers employed in New Mexico.