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.
HB 278 requires New Mexico's Medicaid program to reimburse independent reference laboratories for toxicology services (such as drug and alcohol testing) at the same rate as standard drug testing services under Medicaid's fee-for-service schedule. It mandates that these services be medically necessary and follow evidence-based protocols, including weekly testing for those starting substance use treatment and monthly testing for stable recovery, unless clinical documentation indicates otherwise. The bill defines "independent reference laboratories" as those not affiliated with hospitals, insurers, or physician groups, and appropriates $100,000 for administration in fiscal year 2027. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This Senate Memorial (SM 21) requests New Mexico's Department of Health to study the potential implementation of overdose prevention centers. It directs the health department to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing drug overdose deaths - particularly in communities disproportionately impacted like Native American and Black residents - and identify necessary legal and regulatory changes. The study must be completed by November 2026, with a report submitted to the legislative health committee and finance committee. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a law that would immediately create such centers.
HB 137 requires New Mexico retail pharmacies to maintain specific stock levels of buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) based on their past dispensing rates. Pharmacies must calculate a minimum daily stock requirement every 30 days and keep at least three additional prescriptions (including both buprenorphine-only and combination products), with slightly lower requirements for community-based pharmacies. Wholesale drug distributors must report monthly to the state board any denials or delays in filling buprenorphine orders from pharmacies, including reasons for such actions. Violations could result in fines up to $2,500 for pharmacies and $10,000 for distributors, with the state health department using the data to publish biannual reports on access to buprenorphine.
SB 205 requires New Mexico's Medicaid program to reimburse independent reference laboratories for toxicology testing (like drug screening) at rates matching the average Medicaid fee-for-service rate for drug testing. It mandates reimbursement only when tests are medically necessary (as determined by a provider) and follow evidence-based protocols, including specific frequency guidelines: weekly for new substance use disorder treatment, monthly for stable recovery, and randomized testing when appropriate. The bill defines "independent reference laboratories" as those not affiliated with hospitals, insurers, or physician groups, and appropriates $100,000 for administration in fiscal year 2027. This affects Medicaid patients receiving substance use disorder treatment, the laboratories providing tests, and the state's Medicaid authority.
SB 94 requires individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses - including assault, battery, and related crimes under New Mexico law - to complete a domestic violence offender treatment program approved by the Children, Youth and Families Department. The bill applies directly to people sentenced for offenses listed in Sections 30-3-12 through 30-3-16 of the state code, such as assault against a household member or aggravated battery. Key provisions mandate treatment participation upon conviction and specify that violating probation terms (e.g., failing treatment) allows courts to impose the full original sentence without counting time served on probation. The bill aims to address domestic violence through structured intervention while tightening consequences for probation violations.
SB 8 authorizes a $650 million transfer from New Mexico's general fund to the Behavioral Health Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports the state's behavioral health services by replenishing the trust fund, which finances mental health and substance use disorder programs. The bill establishes a specific, one-time funding mechanism to bolster existing services without creating new programs or eligibility criteria. It affects all New Mexicans who access behavioral health care through state-funded programs, as the transfer aims to strengthen service availability and infrastructure.
SB 184 creates a new "Children's Behavioral Health Services Division" within New Mexico's Health Care Authority, transferring oversight of children's behavioral health services from the Children, Youth and Families Department. This reorganization directly affects children receiving behavioral health services, as well as the two state departments managing these programs. The bill's key mechanism is the formal transfer of operational responsibility for mental health and substance abuse services for children in department custody to the Health Care Authority's new division. It does not create new services but reassigns existing program management to improve coordination under the Health Care Authority.
SB 87 creates a 5-year "Opioid Addiction Prevention Pilot Project" in New Mexico focused on reducing unnecessary opioid prescriptions after surgery. The bill requires the Department of Health to contract with a qualified third party to implement nurse navigation services - clinically-led, personalized pain management coaching and education for surgical patients and providers - to improve pain control while lowering opioid use. It appropriates $9 million from the opioid crisis recovery fund (2026-2031) for this project, with annual reports to legislative committees tracking surgical cases covered and opioids avoided. The pilot directly affects surgical patients, hospitals, and healthcare providers by changing post-surgery pain management protocols.
