HB 11 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY COMPACT

HB 11 creates the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact" to allow licensed professionals in these fields to practice across participating states without obtaining new licenses. The bill directly affects audiologists and speech-language pathologists who wish to serve patients in other member states, as well as patients seeking these services. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, requirements for criminal background checks during application, and provisions enabling telehealth services to improve access. The compact preserves each state’s regulatory authority while streamlining cross-state practice, particularly benefiting military families and remote patients. (Note: The bill passed the House but was replaced by a committee substitute; this summary reflects the original bill’s intended purpose.)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jan 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → JC substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from an introduced version to a House Judiciary Committee substitute version, primarily adding detailed definitions, operational procedures, and enforcement mechanisms for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. The changes expand the compact's framework to include criminal background checks, establish a national commission structure, and clarify how member states will cooperate on licensing and disciplinary actions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology, but the substitute version significantly expands the operational details, including new requirements for criminal background checks, a formal commission structure, and procedures for handling adverse actions across state lines.

DEFINITION

Added comprehensive definitions for key terms including 'active duty military', 'adverse action', 'compact privilege', 'data system', 'encumbered license', 'home state', 'remote state', and 'telehealth' to clarify how the compact operates.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory criminal background check requirements for applicants seeking initial privilege to practice, including fingerprint submission and FBI record searches.

Added requirements for New Mexico board delegates to participate in commission meetings, vote on minutes inclusion, and post commission bylaws and rules on the board's public website.

Modified Section 20 to add criminal history background check requirements to the existing Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act, requiring fingerprint submission for state and federal criminal history reports.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a formal Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission with defined membership, voting procedures, meeting requirements, and authority to promulgate binding rules.

Added provisions for adverse action reporting and enforcement, including authority for remote states to take disciplinary action and requirements for home states to report adverse actions to the data system.

TIMELINE

Added implementation timeline provisions, including the compact becoming effective when enacted in the tenth member state, with provisions for subsequent states to join under existing rules.

TECHNICAL

Added provisions for qualified immunity, indemnification, data system management, rulemaking procedures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and oversight requirements.

Floor votes · House Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

63–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 66

Jan 28, 2026

D Democratic40

38 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican26

25 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

Jan 17, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Pre-file

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors