SCHOOL REPORTING OF GENDER INCONGRUENCE

HB 501 requires New Mexico public school employees to immediately report to a school administrator if a student expresses gender incongruence (a difference between biological sex and perceived gender) or requests social affirmation or transition support at school. The school administrator must then notify the student's parent and obtain their written permission to develop a response plan, which may include counseling and parental involvement. The bill defines key terms and mandates parental consent before schools implement any formal response for students with gender incongruence. It does not restrict student gender expression but establishes a reporting and parental notification process. The bill is currently pending in committee as of June 3, 2025.