Rep. Pamelya Herndon

Maddy summaryHB 247, the Health Care Practitioner Transparency Act, requires all licensed health care practitioners in New Mexico (including nurses, therapists, dentists, and others) to clearly disclose their credentials during patient interactions. It mandates visible identifiers showing the practitioner's name and license type, prohibits misleading titles (like "Doctor" for non-physicians without clarification), and sets advertising rules requiring license details in public communications. The law exempts sterile environments (e.g., operating rooms) and mental health settings where identifiers might disrupt care. It applies to practitioners in clinics, hospitals, and facilities but does not create private legal claims for violations.

Maddy summarySB 26 renames New Mexico's "Family Violence Protection Act" to the "Protection Against Abuse and Violence Act" to better reflect its scope. The bill clarifies key definitions and specifies that courts must follow a clear standard when issuing orders of protection, which are court orders designed to protect individuals from abuse. It also amends and repeals specific sections of state law to modernize the legal framework for these protections. These changes aim to make the law more precise and accessible for victims seeking safety.

Maddy summaryHB 95 would require most group health insurance plans in New Mexico to cover fertility preservation services, such as storing eggs, embryos, or reproductive tissue, for people whose medical treatment (e.g., cancer therapy) may cause infertility. It mandates coverage regardless of an individual’s age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, life expectancy, or perceived quality of life. The law would apply to all qualifying group health plans, including self-insured employer plans, and is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2026. It does not cover general fertility treatments but specifically addresses preservation services needed due to medically necessary treatments.

Maddy summaryHB 216 appropriates $10 million from the general fund to the Crime Victims Reparation Commission for community-based domestic violence programs in fiscal year 2026. The funding directly supports local organizations providing services to domestic violence survivors across New Mexico. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2026 must revert to the general fund. This bill creates a specific financial allocation for existing domestic violence programs without establishing new requirements or eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 420, the "Community Privacy & Safety Act," requires online service providers operating in New Mexico to limit how they collect and use consumer data. It directly affects for-profit companies offering online features, products, or services to New Mexico residents, prohibiting them from using biometric data without consent, engaging in data brokerage without permission, or using deceptive "dark patterns" to manipulate user choices. Key provisions include giving consumers the right to opt out of data sharing, access their data, and prevent retaliation for exercising these rights. The law also bans companies from waiving these protections or denying service based on a consumer's privacy choices.

Maddy summaryHB 74 creates a legal framework for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in New Mexico to establish confidential peer support programs for their employees and volunteers. The bill requires peer support team members to complete state-approved training covering issues like trauma, substance use, and grief, and mandates that all communications during support sessions remain confidential - except in limited cases involving imminent danger or court orders. It also provides limited liability protection for peer support providers and their agencies, shielding them from most lawsuits related to their support services. This directly affects firefighters, EMS personnel, and volunteers who face high-stress emergencies, offering them a structured, confidential resource to address behavioral health challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 307, the Internet Privacy & Safety Act, requires online service companies operating in New Mexico to limit how they collect, use, and share consumer data. It prohibits selling or sharing personal data without explicit consent, bans deceptive "dark patterns" that trick users into sharing data, and creates new rights for consumers to access or correct their information. The law specifically protects minors by restricting data collection based on age or children-focused features. It also prevents companies from denying service to users who exercise their privacy rights or from waiving those protections. The bill applies to for-profit entities offering online services to New Mexico residents, including those handling biometric data or using targeted advertising.

Maddy summarySB 103 requires Medicaid personal care service providers (including agencies and self-directed programs) to submit detailed workforce data to New Mexico's Health Care Authority by March 1, 2026, and annually thereafter. This data includes staffing numbers, wages, benefits, demographics, and overtime hours for direct care workers providing services to Medicaid recipients. The Health Care Authority must analyze this data and publish annual reports, including a 2030 study to recommend reimbursement rates that aim to stabilize the workforce and ensure wages reach 150% of the state minimum wage. The bill directly affects agencies administering Medicaid personal care services and seeks to address workforce challenges through data-driven policy recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 337, the Health Care Whistleblower Protection Act, protects health care workers, patients, volunteers, and consumers who report safety risks, fraud, or violations of law in New Mexico's health care system from retaliation by health care entities. It prohibits entities from firing, demoting, or otherwise punishing individuals who disclose wrongdoing in good faith to government agencies, testify in investigations, or object to unsafe practices. Whistleblowers can sue for lost wages, reinstatement, attorney fees, and other damages if retaliated against, and their identities must remain confidential unless they consent to disclosure. The law applies broadly to hospitals, clinics, staffing companies, and telemedicine providers, but excludes federally qualified health centers and independent health care practices.

Maddy summarySB 494 appropriates $150,000 from the government results and opportunity program fund to the New Mexico Public Education Department. The funds will contract a national organization to provide defibrillator training for school staff in rural districts, helping them respond to heart emergencies. This training focuses on using defibrillators during cardiac events, targeting educational personnel in rural schools. Unspent funds by fiscal year 2026 must revert to the original fund.