SCOPE OF PRACTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HB 277 creates a new Scope of Practice Advisory Committee within New Mexico's Department of Health to review proposed changes to healthcare professionals' scopes of practice. The 9-member committee - appointed by the governor and legislative council, including physicians, health experts, consumer advocates, and the Health Secretary - will evaluate requests from licensing boards or legislators. It assesses proposals based on patient safety, workforce training, rural access, costs, and regulatory consistency before voting to endorse, modify, or reject changes. The committee must publish reports detailing its findings and votes within 30 days of decisions, with $200,000 allocated for its 2027 operations.