Rep. Yanira Gurrola

Maddy summaryHB 58 allocates $300,000 for trauma-informed suicide prevention training for school staff, students, and community members, and $1.75 million to operate 14 dedicated mental health rooms in New Mexico public schools. The funding, intended for fiscal year 2026, directly supports school staff and students by expanding access to mental health resources and training. It requires partnerships with organizations providing culturally centered programs and mandates unspent funds to revert to the state general fund. The bill focuses on concrete, on-the-ground mental health support within school settings.

Maddy summaryHB 523 would require New Mexico public school administrators to review requests from federal immigration agents with a judicial warrant to enter a school. The bill specifies that school leaders must determine if access is permitted by law before granting entry. It directly affects school superintendents and charter school heads who would need to evaluate such warrant-based access requests. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not advanced further. This is a procedural measure focused on school access protocols, not a substantive change to immigration enforcement or school operations.

Maddy summarySB 177, the U Visa Certification Act, creates a state process for New Mexico agencies to certify victims of qualifying crimes for federal U visas. It directly affects crime victims who have assisted law enforcement with investigations, including those experiencing domestic violence, trafficking, or assault. The bill requires certifying agencies (like police departments or district attorneys) to process certification requests within 30 days (14 days for urgent cases), provide written denial reasons with appeal options, and establish internal review steps before victims can seek state department of justice review. This replaces the current federal-only certification process with a streamlined state system to help victims access immigration relief.

Maddy summaryHB 488 requires New Mexico's public schools to use students' home or heritage language as the primary medium of instruction in bilingual education programs for grades K-12, with priority for kindergarten through third grade. The bill mandates that programs must develop both English and home language proficiency, use home language for curriculum portions where needed, and include parent committees representing students' cultures. It directly affects linguistically diverse students, including Native American children, by changing eligibility requirements for state funding. The policy shifts program design to center home languages while building English skills, as specified in amended Section 22-23-6 of the state education code.

Maddy summaryHB 260 prohibits seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, and prone restraint (face-down positioning) in New Mexico public schools. It allows physical restraint only when a student poses imminent danger of serious harm and less restrictive interventions (like de-escalation or positive behavior supports) have failed. The bill requires schools to implement training for staff on de-escalation techniques, document all restraint use, and develop safety plans approved by the state education department. These plans must include input from behavior specialists and address reintegration after restraint. The bill is currently pending in the Senate after passing the House in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 258 requires New Mexico public schools to include comprehensive human sexuality education in health courses for middle and high school students starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It makes one-half unit of health education a graduation requirement for students entering ninth grade that same year. The bill mandates school districts to submit implementation plans, requires the Public Education Department to develop academic standards and model curricula for grades 6-12, and allows parents to excuse their child from the sexuality portion of health education. This bill directly affects all public and charter schools in New Mexico, their students, and school districts responsible for curriculum planning.

Maddy summaryHB 407 appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health for shaken baby syndrome prevention. The funding will update educational materials with UNM Pediatrics, require all state hospitals to implement prevention training programs, and establish statewide reporting for cases of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma. This bill directly affects hospitals statewide and prevention efforts targeting infant safety. It focuses on concrete policy changes through funding allocation, not legislative mandates. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 422 would increase stipends for teaching residents in New Mexico's teacher residency programs to at least $35,000 annually (80% of a level 1 teacher's minimum salary) and require health insurance coverage through the public school insurance authority. It also provides $2,000 annual stipends for mentor teachers, principals, and program coordinators, plus $4,000 per faculty member at participating colleges for co-teaching training. The bill mandates a three-year service commitment for teaching residents at their sponsoring school district and allocates funding for institutional costs. This proposed legislation aims to strengthen residency programs by improving financial support for participants and educators, though it was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Mexico high schools to teach students about workplace rights - including topics like minimum wage, safety standards, and anti-discrimination protections - as part of their career planning process. It amends graduation requirements to mandate that schools integrate employee rights education into students' annual "next-step plans" (developed grades 8-11), which outline coursework and post-graduation pathways. Schools must ensure this content is included in the plans signed by students, parents, and counselors, and aligns with the school's graduate profile. The policy affects all New Mexico high school students as they prepare for jobs or further education.

Maddy summarySB 64 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico public schools (including charter schools) to test whether financial incentives for school districts increase student enrollment in and completion of career development programs. The bill provides school districts with $250-$750 per high school student (grades 9-12) who successfully completes a qualifying program - such as career technical education, approved internships, or apprenticeships - that leads to an industry-recognized credential. Districts must use funds at their discretion, but incentives are capped at 10% of statewide funding per district, and the state appropriates $1.5 million for the project (2026-2028). The program requires annual reporting on participation, student demographics, program types, and outcomes, with a final evaluation due in 2028.