HB 36, the Accessibility Act, creates the Office of Accessibility within New Mexico's Department of Health to improve access for people with disabilities in state services. The Office will develop accessibility standards, provide training to state agencies on digital and physical accessibility, and assist agencies in identifying barriers in websites, apps, and facilities. State agencies must annually report their accessibility efforts to the Office, which will then issue public reports detailing progress, barriers, and recommendations to the governor and legislature. The bill appropriates $350,000 for the Office's operations during fiscal years 2026-2027.
HB 127 requires the New Mexico Medical Board to grant expedited licenses to physicians already licensed in other U.S. states, territories, or foreign countries who meet all other licensing criteria. It also mandates the creation of a public registry for out-of-state telehealth providers, requiring them to maintain active licenses elsewhere, carry professional liability insurance, and avoid physical offices or in-state patient interactions in New Mexico. The bill directly affects out-of-state physicians seeking to practice medicine or provide telehealth services in New Mexico, and imposes new administrative duties on the Medical Board. Key provisions include standardized application requirements for the registry, public disclosure of provider details, and mandatory reporting of disciplinary actions against their out-of-state licenses. The bill repeals an outdated section of existing law to implement these changes.
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.
HB 47 amends New Mexico law to change how school districts and charter schools cover insurance costs for their employees. It requires these entities to pay at least 80% of insurance costs for employees earning under $50,000 annually, 70% for those earning $50,000-$60,000, and 60% for those earning over $60,000. The bill also mandates a study on the long-term sustainability of these insurance programs and includes provisions for cost-containment measures in health benefit plans. This directly affects public school employees and school districts across New Mexico, shifting their contribution responsibilities compared to current law.
This procedural memorial (HM 4) requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees across New Mexico's public universities. The study will examine current coverage gaps - such as UNM being the only institution providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate students - and evaluate options for expanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, including fiscal impacts and workforce effects, with a report due by October 2026.
HB 306 prohibits hospitals from charging patients facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth services starting January 1, 2027. It exempts critical access hospitals, rural sole community hospitals, and emergency department services (both hospital-based and freestanding). The bill requires hospitals to notify patients about potential facility fees before appointments and during care, display bilingual signage, and provide itemized bills showing these charges. Hospitals must also report facility fee data to the state's All-Payer Claims Database for transparency and analysis.
HB 66 updates New Mexico's health professional loan repayment program. It creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients of loan repayment awards, replacing the previous commission. The bill requires applicants to be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or to agree to relocate and begin practice there. The Higher Education Department will determine award amounts and administer the program, with new criteria for selecting applicants and allowing fees if recipients breach their service agreements. This affects health professionals seeking repayment for education loans in exchange for practicing in the state.
SB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.
SB 101 repeals a delayed repeal of New Mexico's Health Care Delivery and Access Act (enacted in 2024). It specifically removes Section 13 of Laws 2024, Chapter 41, which had postponed the original act's repeal. This action restores the full provisions of the Health Care Delivery and Access Act, meaning it directly affects healthcare providers and patients covered under the original legislation. The bill does not change the act's content but ensures it remains in effect without further delay.
HB 38 requires New Mexico health insurance plans to cover wheelchairs and activity chairs for individuals with permanent mobility-limiting conditions (such as paralysis, limb loss, or neuromuscular disorders) without more restrictive terms than other medical benefits. The bill mandates coverage equivalent to Medicare standards, including all necessary services like fittings, repairs, replacements, and instruction, while prohibiting separate cost-sharing or lifetime limits for these devices. It also ensures insurers must cover out-of-network providers when in-network options are unavailable and reimburse at in-network rates. This applies to all group health plans under the Health Care Purchasing Act.
