HB 256 New Mexico House · 2026 Regular Session

DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS

HB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Signed Mar 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill requires schools in New Mexico to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during all school athletic activities. The main changes involve updating the statute to clarify that AEDs must be accessible during sports and other physical activities, not just on school grounds. The bill also adds a new requirement for the education department to create training rules for school employees on using AEDs, consistent with American Heart Association standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from requiring AEDs on school grounds to specifically requiring them during all school athletic activities, with clearer definitions of what constitutes a 'school athletic activity'.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for cardiac emergency response plans to explicitly address incidents during school athletic activities, not just on school grounds.

Added a new subsection requiring the education department to adopt rules for training school employees on AED use following American Heart Association standards.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'school athletic activity' to include sports, competitions, practices, and preparation for such activities.

TIMELINE

Maintained the implementation timeline with high schools required to comply by 2026-2027 and other schools by 2027-2028.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Feb 14, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 38

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican16

15 Yea 1

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 11, 2026

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 15, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee

upper

Feb 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

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

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

not printed House Rules and Order of Business Committee

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors