SB 229 amends New Mexico law to allow physicians licensed under the Medical Practice Act to perform auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) as part of their existing scope of practice, without needing separate acupuncture licensure. It also creates a new certification for non-physicians to provide auricular acupuncture specifically for treating alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency, requiring completion of approved training, clean needle technique, and background checks. Certified specialists must work under supervision of a licensed doctor of oriental medicine and adhere to board-approved protocols for substance abuse treatment. The bill establishes fees for certification, renewal, and program approvals, and requires certified specialists to use the title "Certified Auricular Detoxification Specialist" (C.A.D.S.). This directly affects physicians, certified specialists, and substance abuse treatment programs in New Mexico.
This House Memorial expresses support for expanding the scope of practice for certified advanced practice chiropractors in New Mexico to include primary care services. It aims to address the state's primary care shortage - especially in rural and underserved areas - by allowing chiropractors who already have advanced training and limited prescriptive authority to provide primary care under a two-tiered certification system developed by the New Mexico Chiropractic Association. The memorial urges the chiropractic board to establish standards for training and oversight to ensure safe care delivery, without creating new legal authority for chiropractors. As a non-binding memorial, it does not change existing law but encourages regulatory development.
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.
HB 34 updates New Mexico's school nurse licensure rules to clarify that charter schools must follow the same requirements as public school districts. It establishes three license levels: Level One (a 3-year provisional license requiring mentorship and annual evaluations for new nurses without 3+ years of experience), Level Two (a 9-year license for nurses who complete Level One or have 3+ years of experience), and Level Three (a 9-year license requiring advanced education and leadership skills). The bill sets minimum salaries for each level equal to corresponding teacher salary grades and mandates annual competency reviews by school districts or charter schools. These changes apply to all school nurses employed in New Mexico public and charter schools starting July 1, 2026.
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.)
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.
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.
SB 16, the "Health Professional Autonomy Act," protects health care providers (like doctors and nurses) by prohibiting health care entities (such as hospitals, staffing companies, and management organizations) from interfering with clinical decisions. It specifically bans entities from controlling or directing providers' choices about diagnostic tests, referrals, patient care plans, or patient volume. The bill allows affected providers to sue for damages or seek court orders if their autonomy is violated, and the Attorney General can also enforce the law. This law directly affects providers and entities in New Mexico’s health care system, excluding federally qualified health centers and independent practices, and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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.
HB 136 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to create a centralized credentialing system for Medicaid managed care providers, so providers submit one application to the Authority instead of multiple applications to different Medicaid plans. Medicaid managed care contractors must review applications within 30 days (extendable by 15 days for specific cases) and load approved provider information into their payment systems within that timeframe. The bill also limits re-credentialing to once every three years after initial approval. This directly affects Medicaid managed care providers and the contractors that manage Medicaid plans.
