Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 213: EXPAND OPTOMETRY ACT

HB 213 proposes to expand the scope of practice for optometrists in New Mexico by adding specific minor surgical procedures to the definition of "practice of optometry." The bill would allow optometrists to perform procedures like removing superficial eyelid lesions, foreign bodies from the eye, and certain laser treatments for conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma - previously restricted to ophthalmologists. It also grants the Board of Optometry additional authority to develop certification standards for pharmaceutical use and laser procedures. This change directly affects optometrists in New Mexico by expanding their permitted clinical services without physician supervision. The bill, currently in committee review, does not alter existing exemptions for physicians or eyeglass sellers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrist scope to include minor eye surgeries, improving patient access to eye care services without ophthalmologist referrals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 13: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT

HB 13 creates the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining a new license. It directly affects licensed therapists seeking to work across state lines, patients accessing services in different states, and military spouses relocating with their partners. Key mechanisms include establishing "compact privilege" for interstate practice, requiring states to share disciplinary and investigative information through a national data system, and supporting telehealth delivery of services. The bill aims to improve access to occupational therapy while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for OTs across states, improving patient access to therapy services without new licenses per bill's interstate practice mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 31: EMS PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT

HB 31 creates the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing EMTs and paramedics licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining new licenses. It directly affects EMS professionals who work across state lines and the states that join the compact. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary actions (like license suspensions), and requiring home states to use national registry exams and investigate complaints. This streamlines emergency response during cross-state incidents while maintaining public safety through shared accountability. The compact aims to increase access to licensed EMS personnel and reduce licensing barriers for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for EMS personnel, improving access to emergency medical services and strengthening healthcare workforce mobility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 10: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT INTERSTATE COMPACT

HB 10 establishes the Physician Assistant Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses. It requires states to mutually recognize PAs' licenses and mandates that PAs practice under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located at the time of care. The compact specifically benefits military families by enabling active-duty personnel and their spouses to use their home state license in other participating states, while states retain authority to take disciplinary action against PAs for safety concerns. This eliminates licensing barriers for PAs working across state lines while maintaining patient safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for physician assistants, improving healthcare access for military families and patients by removing licensure barriers without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 65: CYFD SHORT-TERM STABILIZATION PILOT PGM

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides weekly therapy and behavioral health services for children in custody, directly supporting mental health care access under healthcare topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 36: ACCESSIBILITY ACT & OFFICE

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Office of Accessibility within Health Dept. to improve disability access in state services, directly enhancing healthcare access for disabled individuals through standards and training.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital accessibility standards for state websites/apps, promoting inclusive technology use and digital equity for people with disabilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 256: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans for school athletic events, enhancing student safety infrastructure in K-12 settings per EDUCATION subject classification.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans at school events, improving immediate access to life-saving health services during athletic activities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 36: NURSING SHORTAGE TASK FORCE

House Memorial 36 requests the New Mexico Board of Nursing to create a task force addressing the state's nursing shortage crisis. The task force would include representatives from nursing organizations, hospitals, nursing education groups, and high schools, and must identify barriers to nursing education enrollment, program expansion, and nurse retention. It requires the task force to report findings and recommendations to health and finance legislative committees by specific deadlines. This memorial directly affects the Board of Nursing and participating healthcare organizations, aiming to improve nursing workforce planning without creating new laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to address nursing shortage by identifying barriers to education, enrollment, and retention, directly strengthening healthcare workforce stability and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 31: HOME HEALTH SERVICE DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

This memorial (HM 31) requests New Mexico's Health Care Authority to reevaluate its rule limiting home health agencies to serving patients within 100 miles of their licensed location. The current rule creates barriers for rural, frontier, and tribal communities - especially those facing geographic isolation and workforce shortages - by restricting agency service areas. The memorial asks the Authority to align home health service rules with existing personal care services policies, which allow broader service areas, to improve access to medically necessary home care. It specifically prioritizes communities impacted by radiation exposure (e.g., uranium miners) and those on Navajo Nation lands. As a memorial, it does not change law but urges regulatory review to address access gaps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSeeks to remove 100-mile service restriction for home health agencies, expanding access to rural/tribal communities facing geographic barriers and aligning with existing personal care policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 35: PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE & CONCURRENT CARE

This House Memorial (HM 35) requests New Mexico's Health Care Authority to develop a Medicaid state plan amendment creating a pediatric palliative care benefit. It would allow children with serious, complex, or life-limiting conditions to receive supportive palliative care - including pain management, family support, and 24/7 nurse access - alongside curative treatments, without requiring a shift to hospice care. The benefit would be modeled on a 2024 UNM study, including specific quality measures and payment structures for providers. This would directly affect families of medically complex children in New Mexico who currently face barriers to accessing coordinated care under existing Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates new Medicaid benefit for pediatric palliative care, expanding coverage and access to supportive care without requiring hospice shift.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare