Rep. Pamelya Herndon

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial requests the Legislative Finance Committee to form a task force to study whether New Mexico should amend its constitution to make the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) an independent executive department, separate from the Governor's office. The study would examine creating an independent commission to hire CYFD's executive director, addressing current challenges like a 25.4% vacancy rate, high child maltreatment rates (12.6 per 1,000 children vs. a national average of 7.4), and failed federal funding plans. It would evaluate potential benefits, costs, and lessons from other states' commission structures. The memorial itself does not change policy - it only seeks a study before pursuing a constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 130 allocates $5 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) for community-based domestic violence programs during fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports local organizations providing services like shelter, counseling, and safety planning to domestic violence victims across the state. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must revert to the general fund. The bill establishes a dedicated, time-bound funding mechanism for these critical community services.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summarySB 145 restructures New Mexico's audit requirements for state agencies and local public bodies (like counties, school districts, and water districts). It revises revenue thresholds that determine reporting obligations: local bodies with annual revenue under $100,000 are exempt from most financial reporting, while those between $100,000-$500,000 must submit tailored reports focused on their specific activities. The bill also mandates that state agencies conduct annual federal single audits starting in 2028, aligning with federal standards. These changes aim to reduce administrative burden for smaller entities while maintaining oversight for larger ones. The bill updates audit definitions, reporting rules, and the audit fund appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 53, the Community and Health Information Safety and Privacy Act, establishes new privacy standards for businesses operating in New Mexico that collect consumer data. It directly affects online service providers, health-related businesses, and other "covered entities" that handle personal or biometric data of New Mexico residents. Key provisions prohibit businesses from using consumer data for targeted advertising without consent, ban "dark patterns" that manipulate user choices, and require clear opt-out mechanisms for data sharing. The law also protects consumers' rights to access, correct, or delete their data and prohibits retaliation for exercising these rights. It specifically excludes certain health data used for medical treatment under federal law from its requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 241 requires New Mexico courts to notify the Medical Board when physicians are named as defendants in malpractice lawsuits, including dismissals or amendments removing a physician. It extends the period the Medical Board can temporarily suspend a physician's license without a hearing and mandates the Board to post all active malpractice claims, related payments, and disciplinary actions on its website. Hospitals and healthcare entities must report malpractice settlements exceeding $1 million to the Board. This bill directly affects physicians facing lawsuits, the Medical Board, courts, and healthcare providers required to submit reporting data.

Maddy summaryHB 220 amends New Mexico's property tax laws to extend the timeline for delinquent tax sales. It increases the required delinquency period for counties to list properties for sale from two years to four years and extends the waiting period before a sale can occur from three years to five years. The bill also requires counties to record delinquency lists without fees, sets minimum sale prices based on unpaid taxes and costs, and includes a special provision allowing community land grant boards to match the highest bid for properties within their boundaries. This affects property owners with unpaid taxes by providing additional time before their property may be sold to recover the debt, applying to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 258 expands the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in New Mexico by clarifying collaborative work arrangements with dentists. It directly affects dental hygienists, dental therapists, and community dental health coordinators who provide care in non-traditional settings like community health centers. The bill creates new definitions for "collaborative dental hygiene practice" and "dental therapy practice agreements," allowing hygienists to perform more services under defined protocols with a collaborating dentist's oversight, without requiring the dentist to be physically present during all procedures. This change aims to increase access to preventive dental care in underserved areas while maintaining professional accountability through board rules.

Maddy summaryHB 249 creates a New Mexico tax credit for health care practitioners who adopt digital medical records systems. It allows eligible practitioners (like physicians, nurses, and psychologists) to claim a credit equal to their payments for electronic medical records, up to $6,000 per year, if they meet specific requirements: providing at least 1,584 hours of care annually, working at a small health care institution (employing ≤10 practitioners), and maintaining payment records. The credit is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward if it exceeds tax liability, and practitioners cannot claim it if they already use a separate rural health care tax credit. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.