Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 33: PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT

HB 33, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, would allow licensed psychologists in New Mexico to provide telepsychology services across state lines and offer up to 30 days of in-person practice annually in another participating state without needing a separate license. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses between states that adopt the compact, enabling psychologists to serve clients in other states while ensuring public safety through shared disciplinary records. The compact directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to expand practice across state lines and clients in states with limited local mental health providers. Key mechanisms include standardized telepsychology authorization, temporary in-person practice limits, and a coordinated system for sharing license and disciplinary information among participating states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state telepsychology services, expanding mental health access without new licensing barriers, directly supporting mental health service delivery and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 32: COUNSELING LICENSURE COMPACT

HB 32 creates the Counseling Licensure Compact, allowing licensed professional counselors in participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed counselors and their clients in member states, enabling them to provide in-person or telehealth counseling services where the client is located. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary records between states, and requiring counselors to follow the practice laws of the state where the client is located. The compact also specifically supports military spouses relocating with active-duty service members. This bill does not change existing state licensure requirements but streamlines interstate practice for qualified counselors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state mental health counseling access via mutual licensure, improving patient access to services and telehealth under mental health focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 11: AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY COMPACT

HB 11 creates the "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact" to allow licensed professionals in these fields to practice across participating states without obtaining new licenses. The bill directly affects audiologists and speech-language pathologists who wish to serve patients in other member states, as well as patients seeking these services. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, requirements for criminal background checks during application, and provisions enabling telehealth services to improve access. The compact preserves each state’s regulatory authority while streamlining cross-state practice, particularly benefiting military families and remote patients. (Note: The bill passed the House but was replaced by a committee substitute; this summary reflects the original bill’s intended purpose.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for audiologists/speech therapists, improving patient access to specialized healthcare services without new licensing barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 14: DENTIST & DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT

HB 14 creates the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact" to allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that eliminates duplicate licensing requirements, directly affecting dental professionals seeking to work across state lines, including military personnel and their families. Key provisions include standardized background checks, shared disciplinary information between states, and requirements for practitioners to follow each state's scope of practice rules. The bill aims to improve access to dental services in underserved areas and streamline workforce mobility while maintaining state regulatory authority.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates duplicate licensing for dental professionals, improving cross-state access to dental care services and aligning with healthcare access indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 12: PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT

HB 12 establishes New Mexico's participation in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing physical therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in New Mexico without obtaining a separate license. The bill requires states to share disciplinary information, conduct federal background checks, and recognize licenses across member states, with practice always governed by the state where the patient is located. It directly affects physical therapists seeking to work across state lines, military spouses relocating with service members, and state licensing boards managing cross-jurisdictional practice. Key provisions include mutual license recognition, standardized criminal background checks, and mechanisms for states to share investigative data to protect public safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state physical therapy practice, improving provider access and patient care without additional costs or restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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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