HB 120 limits the use of physical restraint and seclusion in New Mexico public schools. It bans chemical, mechanical, prone restraint, and unsupervised seclusion, allowing physical restraint or seclusion only when a student poses imminent serious harm and less restrictive options fail. Schools must train staff in de-escalation and positive behavior strategies, document all restraint/seclusion use, and create safety plans with input from special education experts. The bill directly affects all public school students in New Mexico by restricting potentially harmful interventions and requiring staff to prioritize safer alternatives.
HB 199 updates New Mexico's sex offender registration laws to align with federal requirements under the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act. It requires sex offenders who live in New Mexico, work in New Mexico for over 14 days annually, or attend school in New Mexico to register with their local sheriff. The bill clarifies key terms, such as defining "habitually lives" (30+ days in a year) and expanding "institution of higher education" to include trade schools. This affects individuals convicted of specific sex offenses (e.g., sexual contact with minors, exploitation, or trafficking) who meet the residency, employment, or school criteria under state or federal law. The bill aims to ensure state compliance with federal reporting standards.
HB 173 creates New Mexico's Dementia Care Specialist Program within the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. The program employs or contracts dementia care specialists to provide direct support to individuals with dementia and their caregivers, including cognitive assessments, early detection assistance, caregiver education, and training for healthcare providers. It requires the department to collaborate with health agencies, tribal nations, and community organizations to deliver culturally appropriate services, with a $1 million appropriation for fiscal years 2027-2029. The department must report annually on specialist distribution, services provided, outcomes (like reduced hospitalizations), and cost savings by 2029. This bill directly affects New Mexico residents living with dementia and their families, aiming to improve care coordination and reduce caregiver stress through structured support services.
HB 148 creates a temporary 5% annual cap on increases in property tax valuations for nonresidential properties (like offices or stores) from 2026 through 2036, affecting commercial property owners. It also updates requirements for residential property transfers, mandating that sellers or buyers submit an affidavit with specific details (names, sale price, property description) to county assessors within 30 days of a transfer, but excluding many common transactions like family transfers, government deals, or leases. The bill explicitly states these affidavits are for statistical use only and cannot be used in property valuation. Exceptions to the valuation cap include new properties, expansions after disasters, or changes in property zoning.
HB 189 allocates $200,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) for fiscal year 2027. The funding directly supports LGBTQ+ families by providing statewide "family affirmation services" and education/outreach programs to help LGBTQ+ individuals and families consider foster parenting or adoption. Key provisions include creating targeted support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) families and expanding outreach to encourage LGBTQ+ participation in foster care and adoption systems. The bill specifies that unspent funds will revert to the general fund by the end of fiscal year 2027. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused on resource allocation for CYFD services.
HB 44 (Dental & Dental Hygienist Compact) proposes to create a multi-state agreement allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that would let qualified professionals work temporarily in other member states, reducing duplicative licensing requirements. The bill also requires state and federal criminal background checks for license applicants, as amended in the Dental Health Care Act. This aims to improve access to dental care, address workforce shortages, and facilitate mobility for military members and their families. The bill is currently under review by the House Health & Human Services and Judiciary Committees.
SB 105 clarifies that absences related to a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and those permitted under federal or state accommodations are considered "excused" under New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act. It requires the Public Education Department to create and publish written guidance for schools on implementing the law, including specific rules for medical absences, pregnancy, and parenting-related absences (with documentation). The bill affects all public schools, charter schools, and private schools, which must now align their attendance policies to allow make-up work for excused absences while maintaining clear definitions of "chronic absence" and "unexcused absence." This update aims to standardize attendance policies and reduce barriers for students with specific needs.
HB 65 creates a three-year pilot program in seven New Mexico counties (Dona Ana, Chaves, San Juan, McKinley, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Eddy) to improve stability for children in state custody. It provides in-home or home-like placements with enhanced services - including 24-hour crisis support, weekly therapy, parent training, and monthly family sessions - to reduce placement disruptions. The program prioritizes children with frequent placement history, behavioral health needs, or risk of disruption, and includes specialized incentives for foster homes caring for adolescents, siblings, or those needing short-term stabilization. The state appropriates $2.5 million to fund the program through fiscal year 2029, requiring collaboration between the Children, Youth and Families Department and Health Care Authority.
SB 4 appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the Health Care Authority for Medicaid-directed payments to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This funding directly increases salaries for graduate medical education residents and fellows at UNM. The bill specifies that unspent funds by the end of fiscal year 2027 must revert to the general fund. The measure focuses solely on providing state funding to support resident and fellow compensation through the Medicaid program.
HB 160 creates a new "All Cities and Counties Fund" in New Mexico's state treasury to distribute a portion of gross receipts tax revenue to municipalities (cities/towns) and counties. The bill requires 8% of eligible tax revenue to be transferred into this fund, with annual distributions calculated using a formula based on each municipality's or county's population and their share of state tax revenue. Transfers are scheduled to begin on November 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, directly affecting all cities and counties across New Mexico. The fund aims to provide ongoing financial support to local governments based on population data and tax contributions.
HB 167 requires mobile home park owners in New Mexico to give residents written notice (via certified mail and posted on doors) before selling the park to a third party. This notice must include the sale terms and residents' right to purchase the park within 75 days if they can gather 51% support and match the third-party offer's price and conditions. Owners must negotiate in good faith if residents submit a comparable offer, and residents can assign their purchase rights to nonprofits or governments. Violations carry penalties of $100,000 or 20% of the park’s appraised value, whichever is greater. The bill excludes sales from foreclosures, family transfers, or government takings.
HB 251 creates the New Homes Development Program under New Mexico's Mortgage Finance Authority to provide homebuyer assistance. It offers up to $10,000 per qualifying homebuyer to purchase a newly occupied home (with a certificate of occupancy issued within 12 months) through direct disbursement at the time of purchase. The program requires annual reporting starting in 2027 on grants awarded and program recommendations, and appropriates $30 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2029, with unused funds reverting to the general fund by 2029. This directly affects first-time homebuyers meeting eligibility criteria who purchase recently built homes in New Mexico.
