Rep. Jenifer Jones

Maddy summaryHB 343 requires hospitals and birthing centers to create written "Plans of Safe Care" for newborns affected by prenatal substance exposure (e.g., drugs or alcohol in utero). These plans must be shared with the child’s doctor, a care coordinator (if insured), and the parent/guardian at discharge, outlining needed services like substance use treatment, mental health support, or early intervention. The bill updates reporting rules to ensure hospitals share data about these cases with the Children, Youth and Families Department without triggering child abuse investigations. It directly affects hospitals, newborns with prenatal exposure, and their families by coordinating healthcare and social services post-discharge.

Maddy summaryHB 562 appropriates $3 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2026 to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates specifically for independent rural health care providers. This funding directly benefits rural clinics and healthcare professionals serving underserved communities by improving their payment rates under Medicaid. The bill requires all allocated funds to be spent by the end of fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. It does not change Medicaid eligibility or provider qualifications, focusing solely on increasing reimbursement amounts through dedicated funding.

Maddy summaryHB 15 creates New Mexico's Health Care Strategic Recruitment Program within the Workforce Solutions Department to address healthcare shortages. The program targets recent graduates (within 10 years) of New Mexico public colleges in healthcare shortage fields who aren't currently working in the state, providing recruitment assistance, licensing navigation, job matching, and housing information. It requires collaboration with health and education agencies, tracks applicant data, and mandates annual reports on program success to the legislature. The bill appropriates $2 million for program start-up costs in fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 33 (HM 33), introduced by Representatives Terrazas, Ramos, Brantley, Jones, and Dow, requests the New Mexico Higher Education Department to study spending practices at all public higher education institutions - including community colleges, universities, tribal colleges, and specialty schools. The study would examine all taxpayer-funded expenditures, procurement policies, and travel policies, including those exempt from standard state procurement and travel codes. This procedural memorial, which was referred to the House Education Committee but later postponed indefinitely, does not create new laws but asks for a review of existing spending mechanisms. It directly affects all 32 public higher education institutions in New Mexico that use state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 185, if passed, would require New Mexico public schools and athletic clubs to designate sports teams, competitions, or events as exclusively for males, females, or co-ed. It prohibits biological males from competing on teams designated for females (using birth certificate sex as eligibility proof), while allowing males only as non-roster practice players. The bill directly affects female athletes, schools, and athletic organizations by mandating separate competition opportunities based on biological sex. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 127 would allocate $1 million from New Mexico’s general fund to the Department of Public Safety for purchasing license plate readers during fiscal year 2026. This funding directly affects the Department of Public Safety, enabling it to acquire technology that automatically reads license plates, typically used for traffic enforcement or law enforcement purposes. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. The measure was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.

Maddy summaryHB 544 would streamline licensing for out-of-state professionals by creating expedited pathways for certain licensed workers to practice in New Mexico without retaking exams. It directly affects healthcare professionals (like genetic counselors, pharmacists, and naturopaths) and other licensed workers (such as architects) who hold active, good-standing licenses in another U.S. state, territory, or foreign country. The bill requires these applicants to pay standard fees and verify their out-of-state license status, but exempts them from New Mexico's licensing exams. The bill was referred to committees in February 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 375 creates the Graduate Behavioral Health Scholarship Act, providing debt-free education for New Mexico graduate students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in behavioral health fields (counseling, psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, or addiction medicine). The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and licensing costs after other state aid is applied, but recipients must commit to practicing in New Mexico for a number of years equal to the scholarship duration. The Higher Education Department will administer the program using $10 million appropriated for fiscal year 2026, with unspent funds rolling over annually. Students who graduate but fail to fulfill their practice commitment face penalties up to three times the scholarship value.

Maddy summaryHB 413, the "Physician Assistant Licensure Interstate Compact," allows physician assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed physician assistants, military families (by enabling active-duty personnel and spouses to practice across states based on a good-standing license), and patients receiving care in different states. The key mechanism establishes mutual recognition of licenses, requiring physician assistants to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located at the time of care. This compact also mandates states to share disciplinary actions and criminal background checks through a centralized data system to maintain patient safety standards. The bill passed the New Mexico House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 391 creates the Office of Child Ombud in New Mexico to independently review child welfare services and handle complaints. It establishes a nine-member selection committee (with specific expertise requirements, including Indian Child Welfare Act knowledge) to appoint a six-year ombud who will investigate complaints about the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, operate a toll-free hotline, and review systems protecting children's rights. The ombud will investigate cases involving child fatalities or near-fatalities in state custody, provide updates to complainants, and issue annual reports to lawmakers. The office, attached to the administrative office of the courts, will have authority to subpoena witnesses and make referrals while maintaining budget autonomy.