New Mexico 2025 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 157 — NEW SCHOOL LICENSES

Last action — Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democratic) on April 11, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

733 added · 1191 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 157 introduces new licensing requirements for school administrators, including site administrators and superintendents. Specifically, it enhances the qualifications and requirements needed to obtain these licenses, which aims to ensure that those in leadership positions in schools have the necessary skills and knowledge. This change is significant as it seeks to improve the quality of school administration, potentially leading to better educational outcomes for students.

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HOUSE BILL 157 57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025 INTRODUCED BY Joy Garratt and Brian G.
AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL;
Baca and Raymundo Lara This document may incorporate amendments proposed by a committee, but not yet adopted, as well as amendments that have been adopted during the current legislative session.
CREATING NEW LICENSES FOR SITE ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERINTENDENTS AND OTHER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS;
The document is a tool to show amendments in context and cannot be used for the purpose of adding amendments to legislation.
PROVIDING ENHANCED QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS;
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE h AN ACT g o RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL;
ENACTING THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR DEVELOPMENT ACT;
CREATING NEW LICENSES FOR SITE t hr g e i k ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERINTENDENTS AND OTHER SCHOOL h r i s ADMINISTRATORS;
PROVIDING ENHANCED QUALIFICATIONS AND h , t, REQUIREMENTS;
ENACTING THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR DEVELOPMENT e u g e b l e e h ACT;
PROVIDING n d d i = = o h FOR A DELAYED REPEAL OF CURRENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR LICENSES;
PROVIDING FOR A DELAYED REPEAL OF CURRENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR LICENSES;
l ] b ,d i a º e AMENDING, REPEALING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.
AMENDING, REPEALING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.
r i = r t e w d m a n o d m :
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e e a n e d r e l u [ A d BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
(3) who has suffered sexual abuse or sexual exploitation inflicted by the child's parent, guardian, custodian or other adult;
(3) who has suffered sexual abuse or sexual HB 157/a Page 1 exploitation inflicted by the child's parent, guardian, custodian or other adult;
h g (4) whose parent, guardian, custodian or other o t hr adult has knowingly, intentionally or negligently placed the g e i k child in a situation that may endanger the child's life or h r i s h health;
(4) whose parent, guardian, custodian or other adult has knowingly, intentionally or negligently placed the child in a situation that may endanger the child's life or health;
or , t, e u g (5) whose parent, guardian, custodian or other e b l e e h adult has knowingly or intentionally tortured, cruelly confined n d d i = = o h or cruelly punished the child;
or (5) whose parent, guardian, custodian or other adult has knowingly or intentionally tortured, cruelly confined or cruelly punished the child;
l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r B.
B.
"constitutional special school" means the t e w d m a n o New Mexico military institute, New Mexico school for the deaf d m :
"constitutional special school" means the New Mexico military institute, New Mexico school for the deaf and New Mexico school for the blind and visually impaired;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 2 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d and New Mexico school for the blind and visually impaired;
"contractor" means [an individual ] a person who is under contract with a public school and is hired to provide services to the public school, but does not include a general contractor or a building or maintenance contractor who is supervised and has no access to students at the public school;
"contractor" means a person who is under contract with a public school and is hired to provide services to the public school, but does not include a general contractor or a building or maintenance contractor who is supervised and has no access to students at the public school;
F.
HB 157/a Page 2 F.
"ethical misconduct" means the following behavior or conduct by school district personnel, school employees, school volunteers, contractors or contractors' h employees:
"ethical misconduct" means the following behavior or conduct by school district personnel, school employees, school volunteers, contractors or contractors' employees:
u » r (1) discriminatory practice based on race, t h g e l i age, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, sexual h r i s orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, h , e h marital status, religion, citizenship, domestic abuse reporting t u g e b l e e , gh status or serious medical condition;
(1) discriminatory practice based on race, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, marital status, religion, citizenship, domestic abuse reporting status or serious medical condition;
n d d i = = o h (2) sexual misconduct or any sexual offense l ] b ,d i a º r prohibited by Chapter 30, Article 6A or 9 NMSA 1978 involving e r = t e w d m a n o an adult or child, regardless of a child's enrollment status;
(2) sexual misconduct or any sexual offense prohibited by Chapter 30, Article 6A or 9 NMSA 1978 involving an adult or child, regardless of a child's enrollment status;
d m :
(3) fondling a child or student, including touching private body parts, such as breasts, buttocks, genitals, inner thighs, groin or anus;
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 3 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (3) fondling a child or student, including touching private body parts, such as breasts, buttocks, genitals, inner thighs, groin or anus;
H.
HB 157/a Page 3 H.
"instructional support provider" means a person who is employed to support the instructional program of a public school, including educational assistant, school h counselor, social worker, school nurse, speech-language u » r pathologist, psychologist, physical therapist, occupational t h g e l i therapist, recreational therapist, marriage and family h r i s therapist, interpreter for the deaf, diagnostician, attendance h , e h coach, practical nurse, school health assistant, school t u g e b l e e , gh business official, rehabilitation counselor, athletic coach, n d d i = = o h educational alcohol and drug abuse counselor and substance l ] b ,d i a º r abuse associate;
"instructional support provider" means a person who is employed to support the instructional program of a public school, including educational assistant, school counselor, social worker, school nurse, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, marriage and family therapist, interpreter for the deaf, diagnostician, attendance coach, practical nurse, school health assistant, school business official, rehabilitation counselor, athletic coach, educational alcohol and drug abuse counselor and substance abuse associate;
e r = t e w d m a n o I.
I.
"just cause" means a reason that is rationally d m :
"just cause" means a reason that is rationally related to a school employee's competence or turpitude or the proper performance of the school employee's duties and that is not in violation of the school employee's civil or constitutional rights;
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 4 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d related to a school employee's competence or turpitude or the proper performance of the school employee's duties and that is not in violation of the school employee's civil or constitutional rights;
(2) the spouse of a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States as an active duty member or in an active reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard;
(2) the spouse of a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States as an active duty member or in an active reserve component of the armed forces HB 157/a Page 4 of the United States, including the national guard;
or (3) the child of a person who is serving in h the armed forces of the United States as an active duty member u » r or in an active reserve component of the armed forces of the t h g e l i United States, including the national guard;
or (3) the child of a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States as an active duty member or in an active reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard;
provided that h r i s child is also a dependent of that person for federal income tax h , e h purposes;
provided that child is also a dependent of that person for federal income tax purposes;
t u g e b l e e , gh K.
K.
"moral turpitude" means an act or behavior that n d d i = = o h gravely violates the accepted standards of moral conduct, l ] b ,d i a º r justice or honesty and may include ethical misconduct;
"moral turpitude" means an act or behavior that gravely violates the accepted standards of moral conduct, justice or honesty and may include ethical misconduct;
e r = t e w d m a n o L.
L.
"public school" means a school district, charter d m :
"public school" means a school district, charter school, constitutional special school, regional education cooperative or the educational program of another state agency;
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 5 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d school, constitutional special school, regional education cooperative or the educational program of another state agency;
M.
[M.
"responsibility factor" means a value of 1.25 for an elementary school principal, 1.45 for a middle school or junior high school principal, 1.65 for a high school principal, 1.15 for an assistant elementary school principal, 1.20 for an assistant middle school or assistant junior high school principal and 1.30 for an assistant high school principal;
N.] M.
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[O.] N.
N.
"school administrator" means a person licensed to administer in a school district, charter school, constitutional special school or regional education cooperative h or a person employed with another state agency who administers g o t hr an educational program and includes local superintendents, g e i k school principals, central district administrators, business h r i s managers, charter school head administrators and state agency h , t, education supervisors;
"school administrator" means a person licensed to administer in a school district, charter school, constitutional special school or regional education cooperative or a person employed with another state agency HB 157/a Page 5 who administers an educational program and includes local superintendents, school principals, central district administrators, business managers, charter school head administrators and state agency education supervisors;
e u g e b l e e h [P.] O.
O.
"school employee" includes licensed and n d d i = = o h unlicensed employees of a public school;
"school employee" includes licensed and unlicensed employees of a public school;
l ] b ,d i a º e [Q.] P.
P.
r i = r t e w d m a n o (1) the buildings and grounds, including d m :
(1) the buildings and grounds, including playgrounds, playing fields and parking areas and a school bus of a public school, in or on which school or school- related activities are being operated under the supervision of a local school board, charter school or state agency;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 6 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d playgrounds, playing fields and parking areas and a school bus of a public school, in or on which school or school-related activities are being operated under the supervision of a local school board, charter school or state agency;
[R.] Q.
Q.
h T.
HB 157/a Page 6 T.
"state institution" means the [New Mexico boys' g o t hr school, girls' welfare home] juvenile detention centers g e i k operated by the children, youth and families department, h r i s including the New Mexico youth diagnostic and development h , t, center;
"state institution" means the juvenile detention centers operated by the children, youth and families department, including the New Mexico youth diagnostic and development center;
the Sequoyah adolescent e u g e b l e e h treatment center;
the Sequoyah adolescent treatment center;
the Carrie Tingley crippled children's n d d i = = o h hospital;
the Carrie Tingley crippled children's hospital;
the New Mexico behavioral health institute at Las l ] b ,d i a º e Vegas;
the New Mexico behavioral health institute at Las Vegas;
and any other state agency responsible for educating r i = r t e w d m a n o resident children;
and any other state agency responsible for educating resident children;
d m :
U.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 7 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d U.
"teacher" means a person who holds a level one, level two or level three-A license and whose primary job is classroom instruction or the supervision, below the school principal level, of an instructional program or whose duties include curriculum development, peer intervention, peer coaching or mentoring or serving as a resource teacher for other teachers;
"teacher" means a person who holds a level one, level two or level three-A license and whose primary job is classroom instruction or the supervision, below the school principal level, of an instructional program or whose duties include curriculum development, peer intervention, peer coaching or mentoring, or serving as a resource teacher for other teachers;
h Y.
Y.
"unsupervised contact with children or students" g o t hr means access to or contact with, or the opportunity to have g e i k access to or contact with, a child or student for any length of h r i s time in the absence of:
"unsupervised contact with children or HB 157/a Page 7 students" means access to or contact with, or the opportunity to have access to or contact with, a child or student for any length of time in the absence of:
h , t, (1) a licensed staff person from the same e u g e b l e e h school or institution;
(1) a licensed staff person from the same school or institution;
n d d i = = o h (2) a school volunteer who has undergone a l ] b ,d i a º e background check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5 NMSA 1978;
(2) a school volunteer who has undergone a background check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5 NMSA 1978;
or r i = r t e w d m a n o (3) any adult relative or guardian of the d m :
or (3) any adult relative or guardian of the child or student;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 8 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d child or student;
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED--APPLICATION FEE--CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS --GENERAL DUTIES.-- A.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED--APPLICATION FEE--CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS--GENERAL DUTIES.-- A.
and any person h providing health care and administering medications or g o t hr performing medical procedures in a public school shall hold a g e i k valid license or certificate from the department authorizing h r i s the person to perform that function.
and any person providing health care and administering HB 157/a Page 8 medications or performing medical procedures in a public school shall hold a valid license or certificate from the department authorizing the person to perform that function.
[This subsection does not h , t, apply to a person performing the functions of a practice e u g e b l e e h teacher or teaching intern as defined by the department] A n d d i = = o h person applying for a license or certificate from the l ] b ,d i a º e department shall undergo a criminal history record check r i = r t e w d m a n o pursuant to Section 22-10A-5 NMSA 1978.
A person applying for a license or certificate from the department shall undergo a criminal history record check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5 NMSA 1978.
The criminal history d m :
The criminal history record check requirement shall apply to the following applicants:
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 9 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d record check requirement shall apply to the following applicants:
(7) applicants for level three-B provisional h licensure for school principals pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.3 g o t hr NMSA 1978;
(7) applicants for level three-B provisional licensure for school principals pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.3 NMSA 1978;
g e i k (8) applicants for level three-B h r i s administrator's licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.4 NMSA h , t, 1978;
(8) applicants for level three-B HB 157/a Page 9 administrator's licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.4 NMSA 1978;
e u g e b l e e h (9) applicants for provisional site n d d i = = o h administrator licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.5 NMSA l ] b ,d i a º e 1978;
(9) applicants for provisional site administrator licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.5 NMSA 1978;
r i = r t e w d m a n o (10) applicants for initial site administrator d m :
(10) applicants for initial site administrator licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.6 NMSA 1978;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 10 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-11.6 NMSA 1978;
[(9)] (14) applicants for licenses granted on the basis of reciprocity pursuant to Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978;
(14) applicants for licenses granted on the basis of reciprocity pursuant to Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978;
[(10)] (15) applicants for expedited licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-12.1 NMSA 1978;
(15) applicants for expedited licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-12.1 NMSA 1978;
[(11)] (16) applicants for Native American language and culture certificates pursuant to Section 22-10A-13 NMSA 1978;
(16) applicants for Native American language and culture certificates pursuant to Section 22-10A-13 NMSA 1978;
h [(12)] (17) applicants for substitute teacher g o t hr certificates pursuant to Section 22-10A-15 NMSA 1978;
(17) applicants for substitute teacher certificates pursuant to Section 22-10A-15 NMSA 1978;
g e i k [(13)] (18) applicants for instructional h r i s support provider [certificates ] licenses pursuant to Section h , t, 22-10A-17 NMSA 1978;
HB 157/a Page 10 (18) applicants for instructional support provider licenses pursuant to Section 22-10A-17 NMSA 1978;
e u g e b l e e h [(14)] (19) applicants for educational n d d i = = o h assistant licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-17.1 NMSA 1978;
(19) applicants for educational assistant licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-17.1 NMSA 1978;
l ] b ,d i a º e [and r i = r t e w d m a n o (15)] (20) applicants for alternative level d m :
(20) applicants for alternative level three- B licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-17.2 NMSA 1978;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 11 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d three-B licensure pursuant to Section 22-10A-17.2 NMSA 1978;
The department shall not share criminal history h record check information with another entity unless expressly u » r permitted by applicable federal law or federal regulation.
The department shall not share criminal history record check information with another entity unless expressly permitted by applicable federal law or federal regulation.
t h g e l i C.
C.
Except as provided in Subsection D of this h r i s section, the department shall charge a reasonable fee for each h , e h application for or the renewal of a license or certificate.
Except as provided in Subsection D of this section, the department shall charge a reasonable fee for HB 157/a Page 11 each application for or the renewal of a license or certificate.
t u g e b l e e , gh The application fee may be waived if the applicant meets a n d d i = = o h standard of indigency established by the department.
The application fee may be waived if the applicant meets a standard of indigency established by the department.
l ] b ,d i a º r D.
D.
No licensing or certificate fee shall be charged e r = t e w d m a n o for the first three years a license or certificate required by d m :
No licensing or certificate fee shall be charged for the first three years a license or certificate required by this section is valid if the licensee or certificate holder is a military service member or a veteran.
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 12 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d this section is valid if the licensee or certificate holder is a military service member or a veteran.
h (3) exercise supervision over students on g o t hr public school premises and while the students are under the g e i k control of the public school;
(3) exercise supervision over students on public school premises and while the students are under the HB 157/a Page 12 control of the public school;
and h r i s (4) furnish reports as required." h , t, SECTION 3.
and (4) furnish reports as required." SECTION 3.
Section 22-10A-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, e u g e b l e e h Chapter 153, Section 35, as amended by Laws 2005, Chapter 315, n d d i = = o h Section 4 and by Laws 2005, Chapter 316, Section 1) is amended l ] b ,d i a º e to read:
Section 22-10A-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 35, as amended by Laws 2005, Chapter 315, Section 4 and by Laws 2005, Chapter 316, Section 1) is amended to read:
r i = r t e w d m a n o "22-10A-4.
"22-10A-4.
TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS-- d m :
TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS-- PROFESSIONAL STATUS--LICENSURE LEVELS--SALARY ALIGNMENT.-- A.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 13 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d PROFESSIONAL STATUS--LICENSURE LEVELS--SALARY ALIGNMENT.-- A.
The primary responsibilities of the teaching and [school ] site administration professions are to educate the children of this state and to improve the professional practices and ethical conduct of their members.
The primary responsibilities of the teaching and site administration professions are to educate the children of this state and to improve the professional practices and ethical conduct of their members.
The minimum salary provided as part of the career system shall not take effect until the department has adopted increased competencies for the h particular level of licensure and a highly objective uniform u » r statewide standard of evaluation.
The minimum salary provided as part of the career system shall not take effect until the department has adopted increased competencies for the particular level of licensure and a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation.
t h g e l i C.
HB 157/a Page 13 C.
A level one license is a provisional license h r i s that gives a beginning teacher the opportunity, through a h , e h formal mentorship program, for additional preparation to be a t u g e b l e e , gh quality teacher.
A level one license is a provisional license that gives a beginning teacher the opportunity, through a formal mentorship program, for additional preparation to be a quality teacher.
A level two license is given to a teacher who n d d i = = o h is a fully qualified professional who is primarily responsible l ] b ,d i a º r for ensuring that students meet and exceed department-adopted e r = t e w d m a n o academic content and performance standards;
A level two license is given to a teacher who is a fully qualified professional who is primarily responsible for ensuring that students meet and exceed department-adopted academic content and performance standards;
a teacher may d m :
a teacher may choose to remain at level two for the remainder of the teacher's career.
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 14 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d choose to remain at level two for the remainder of the teacher's career.
[A level three- B] D.
D.
An initial site administrator license is for teachers and instructional support providers who commence a new career path in [school ] site administration by becoming [school administrators] assistant school principals, school principals or charter school administrators.
An initial site administrator license is for teachers and instructional support providers who commence a new career path in site administration by becoming assistant school principals, school principals or charter school administrators.
A professional site administrator license is given to an assistant school principal, school principal or charter school head administrator who is a fully qualified professional who may choose to remain at this level for the remainder of the h assistant school principal's, school principal's or charter g o t hr school head administrator's career.
A professional site administrator license is given to an assistant school principal, school principal or charter school head administrator who is a fully qualified professional who may choose to remain at this level for the remainder of the assistant school principal's, school principal's or charter school head administrator's career.
g e i k E.
E.
A superintendent license is the highest level of h r i s administrative licensure for those administrators who choose to h , t, undertake the responsibilities of leading a school district.
A superintendent license is the highest level HB 157/a Page 14 of administrative licensure for those administrators who choose to undertake the responsibilities of leading a school district.
e u g e b l e e h Charter school governing bodies may choose to require head n d d i = = o h administrators to hold a superintendent license based on the l ] b ,d i a º e needs of the school.
Charter school governing bodies may choose to require head administrators to hold a superintendent license based on the needs of the school.
r i = r t e w d m a n o [D.] F.
F.
All teacher and school administrator salary d m :
All teacher and school administrator salary systems shall be aligned with the licensure framework in a professional educator licensing and salary system.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 15 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d systems shall be aligned with the licensure framework in a professional educator licensing and salary system.
G.
[E.
A licensed school employee who holds a valid three-B license on July 1, 2029 shall be granted a professional site administrator license and a superintendent license." SECTION 4.
All teachers and school administrators who hold teaching or administrator certificates on the effective date of the 2003 act shall meet the requirements for their level of licensure by September 1, 2006 and shall be issued licenses.] SFCº G.
A new section of the School Personnel Act, Section 22-10A-11.5 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
All teachers, instructional support providers and school administrators who hold valid level three- B licenses on July 1, SFCºHECº2028»HEC HECº2029»HEC»SFC SFCº2028»SFC shall be granted a professional site administrator license.
"22-10A-11.5.
H.
PROVISIONAL SITE ADMINISTRATOR LICENSURE.-- A.
All school administrators who hold valid level three-B licenses and have worked as local superintendents prior to July 1, SFCºHECº2028»HEC HECº2029»HEC»SFC SFCº2028»SFC shall be granted a superintendent license."»SFC SFCºG.
A provisional site administrator license is a one-year license granted to a level two or three-A teacher who meets the qualifications for that license.
A licensed school employee who holds a valid h g three-B license on July 1, 2029 shall be granted a professional o t hr site administrator license and a superintendent license."»SFC g e i k SECTION 4.
B.
A new section of the School Personnel Act, h r i s h Section 22-10A-11.5 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
, t, e u g "22-10A-11.5.
[NEW MATERIAL ] PROVISIONAL SITE e b l e e h ADMINISTRATOR LICENSURE.-- n d d i = = o h A.
A provisional site administrator license is a l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r one-year license granted to a level two or three-A teacher who t e w d m a n o meets the qualifications for that license.
d m :
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 16 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d B.
(2) be enrolled in a department-approved site administrator induction and mentoring program in the school district;
(2) be enrolled in a department-approved site administrator induction and mentoring program in the HB 157/a Page 15 school district;
After successful completion of the department- approved site administrator preparation program and satisfactory evaluations, the provisional license may be h converted to a professional site administrator license if the g o t hr candidate completes the requirements for that license." g e i k SECTION 5.
After successful completion of the department-approved site administrator preparation program and satisfactory evaluations, the provisional license may be converted to a professional site administrator license if the candidate completes the requirements for that license." SECTION 5.
A new section of the School Personnel Act, h r i s Section 22-10A-11.6 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
A new section of the School Personnel Act, Section 22-10A-11.6 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
h , t, "22-10A-11.6.
"22-10A-11.6.
[NEW MATERIAL ] INITIAL SITE ADMINISTRATOR e u g e b l e e h LICENSE.-- n d d i = = o h A.
INITIAL SITE ADMINISTRATOR LICENSE.-- A.
As used in this section, "responsibility factor" l ] b ,d i a º e means a value of 1.25 for an elementary school principal, 1.45 r i = r t e w d m a n o for a middle school or junior high school principal, 1.65 for a d m :
As used in this section, "responsibility factor" means a value of 1.25 for an elementary school principal, 1.45 for a middle school or junior high school principal, 1.65 for a high school principal, 1.15 for an assistant elementary school principal, 1.20 for an assistant middle school or assistant junior high school principal and 1.30 for an assistant high school principal.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 17 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d high school principal, 1.15 for an assistant elementary school principal, 1.20 for an assistant middle school or assistant junior high school principal and 1.30 for an assistant high school principal.
An initial site administrator license is a three-year license granted to an applicant who meets the qualifications for that license.
An initial site administrator license is a three-year license granted to an applicant who meets the HB 157/a Page 16 qualifications for that license.
(1) has successfully completed a department- approved site administrator preparation program or an out-of- state council for the accreditation of educator preparation- or association for advancing quality in educator preparation- accredited administrator preparation program and a department- approved clinical experience in New Mexico;
(1) has successfully completed a department- approved site administrator preparation program or an out-of- state council for the accreditation of educator preparation- or association for advancing quality in educator preparation- accredited administrator preparation program and a department-approved clinical experience in New Mexico;
h (2) has at least three years of experience as g o t hr a teacher or instructional support provider;
(2) has at least three years of experience as a teacher or instructional support provider;
g e i k (3) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or h r i s national board for professional teaching standards h , t, certification;
(3) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or national board for professional teaching standards certification;
and e u g e b l e e h (4) meets any additional requirements as n d d i = = o h determined by the department.
and (4) meets any additional requirements as determined by the department.
l ] b ,d i a º e D.
D.
The minimum annual salary for a licensed site r i = r t e w d m a n o administrator serving as a school principal or assistant school d m :
The minimum annual salary for a licensed site administrator serving as a school principal or assistant school principal is the minimum salary for a level three-A teacher multiplied by the applicable responsibility factor.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 18 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d principal is the minimum salary for a level three-A teacher multiplied by the applicable responsibility factor.
The department shall adopt a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation, including data sources linked to student achievement and an educational plan for student success progress, for school principals and assistant school principals and rules for the implementation of that evaluation system linked to the level of responsibility at each school level." SECTION 6.
The department shall adopt a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation, including data sources linked to student achievement and an educational plan for student success progress, for school principals and HB 157/a Page 17 assistant school principals and rules for the implementation of that evaluation system linked to the level of responsibility at each school level." SECTION 6.
[NEW MATERIAL ] PROFESSIONAL SITE ADMINISTRATOR LICENSURE.-- A.
PROFESSIONAL SITE ADMINISTRATOR LICENSURE.-- A.
h B.
B.
The department shall grant a professional site g o t hr administrator license to an applicant who:
The department shall grant a professional site administrator license to an applicant who:
g e i k (1) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or h r i s national board for professional teaching standards h , t, certification;
(1) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or national board for professional teaching standards certification;
e u g e b l e e h (2) has successfully completed a department- n d d i = = o h approved site administrator preparation program;
(2) has successfully completed a department- approved site administrator preparation program;
l ] b ,d i a º e (3) has at least one year of experience as a r i = r t e w d m a n o site administrator;
(3) has at least one year of experience as a site administrator;
d m :
(4) has successfully completed a department- approved site administrator induction program;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 19 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (4) has successfully completed a department- approved site administrator induction program;
Licenses may be renewed on successful completion of department-required professional development and satisfactory annual performance evaluations." SECTION 7.
Licenses may be renewed on successful completion of department-required professional development HB 157/a Page 18 and satisfactory annual performance evaluations." SECTION 7.
[NEW MATERIAL ] PROVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT LICENSURE.-- A.
PROVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT LICENSURE.-- A.
A provisional license may be renewed up to three times with annual proof of enrollment in a department-approved aspiring superintendent academy and the h recommendation of an induction coach.
A provisional license may be renewed up to three times with annual proof of enrollment in a department-approved aspiring superintendent academy and the recommendation of an induction coach.
g o t hr B.
B.
The department shall grant a provisional g e i k superintendent license to an applicant who:
The department shall grant a provisional superintendent license to an applicant who:
h r i s (1) has at least one year of experience as a h , t, school administrator;
(1) has at least one year of experience as a school administrator;
e u g e b l e e h (2) is enrolled in a department-approved n d d i = = o h superintendent induction and mentoring program;
(2) is enrolled in a department-approved superintendent induction and mentoring program;
and l ] b ,d i a º e (3) meets any additional requirements as r i = r t e w d m a n o determined by the department." d m :
and (3) meets any additional requirements as determined by the department." SECTION 8.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 20 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d SECTION 8.
[NEW MATERIAL] SUPERINTENDENT LICENSURE.-- A.
SUPERINTENDENT LICENSURE.-- A.
The department shall grant a superintendent license to an applicant who:
The department shall grant a superintendent HB 157/a Page 19 license to an applicant who:
and (4) meets any additional requirements as h determined by the department.
and (4) meets any additional requirements as determined by the department.
g o t hr C.
C.
Licenses may be renewed upon successful g e i k completion of department-required professional development." h r i s SECTION 9.
Licenses may be renewed upon successful completion of department-required professional development." SECTION 9.
A new section of the School Personnel Act, h , t, Section 22-10A-11.10 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
A new section of the School Personnel Act, Section 22-10A-11.10 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
e u g e b l e e h "22-10A-11.10.
"22-10A-11.10.
[NEW MATERIAL ] LICENSURE FOR SCHOOL n d d i = = o h ADMINISTRATORS NOT LICENSED AS SITE ADMINISTRATORS OR l ] b ,d i a º e SUPERINTENDENTS.--The department may establish new licensure r i = r t e w d m a n o requirements for school administrators who are not licensed as d m :
LICENSURE FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS NOT LICENSED AS SITE ADMINISTRATORS OR SUPERINTENDENTS.--The department may establish new licensure requirements for school administrators who are not licensed as site administrators or superintendents." SECTION 10.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 21 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d site administrators or superintendents." SECTION 10.
A teacher or school principal licensed in another state may be granted a level two, [or ] level [three] three-A or site administrator license if the teacher or [school principal] site administrator has teaching experience, demonstrates the required competencies and meets other requirements and qualifications for the license for which the teacher or school principal applies, including clearance of the required background check.
A teacher or school principal licensed in another state may be granted a level two, level three-A or HB 157/a Page 20 site administrator license if the teacher or site administrator has teaching experience, demonstrates the required competencies and meets other requirements and qualifications for the license for which the teacher or school principal applies, including clearance of the required background check.
A teacher or [school principal] site administrator who holds an out-of-state license may apply for a lower level license if the teacher or [school h principal] site administrator does not meet the requirements g o t hr for the higher level.
A teacher or site administrator who holds an out-of-state license may apply for a lower level license if the teacher or site administrator does not meet the requirements for the higher level.
g e i k B.
B.
The department may grant [a level three-B ] an h r i s initial site administrator license to [a] an out-of-state h , t, candidate who does not meet the other requirements and e u g e b l e e h qualifications of that license if the candidate:
The department may grant an initial site administrator license to an out-of-state candidate who does not meet the other requirements and qualifications of that license if the candidate:
[has a n d d i = = o h school administrator license issued in another state and has l ] b ,d i a º e worked as a school administrator in good standing for at r i = r t e w d m a n o least six years] d m :
(1) has a standard, valid, unencumbered school administrator license from another state;
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 22 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (1) has a standard, valid, unencumbered school administrator license from another state;
HECº"»HEC HECºC.
HB 157/a Page 21 C.
h g (3) is enrolled in a department-approved o t hr superintendent induction program;
(3) is enrolled in a department-approved superintendent induction program;
and g e i k (4) meets other requirements of the h r i s department."»HEC h , t, SECTION 11.
and (4) meets other requirements of the department." SECTION 11.
Section 22-10A-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws e u g e b l 2003, Chapter 153, Section 45, as amended) is amended to e e h n d d i read:
Section 22-10A-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 45, as amended) is amended to read:
= = o h l ] b ,d i a º e "22-10A-14.
"22-10A-14.
CERTIFICATES OF WAIVER.-- r i = r t e w d A.
CERTIFICATES OF WAIVER.-- A.
If a local superintendent or governing m a n o d m :
If a local superintendent or governing authority of a state agency certifies to the department that an emergency exists in the hiring of a qualified person, the department may issue a certificate of teaching waiver or assignment waiver.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 23 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d authority of a state agency certifies to the department that an emergency exists in the hiring of a qualified person, the department may issue a certificate of teaching waiver or assignment waiver.
Certificates of teaching waivers are one-year waivers and may be renewed only if the holder provides satisfactory evidence of continued progress toward a level one license.
Certificates of teaching waivers are one-year waivers and may be renewed only if the holder provides HB 157/a Page 22 satisfactory evidence of continued progress toward a level one license.
A certificate of assignment waiver may be renewed each school year if the h teacher provides satisfactory evidence of continued progress u » r toward meeting the requirements for endorsement.
A certificate of assignment waiver may be renewed each school year if the teacher provides satisfactory evidence of continued progress toward meeting the requirements for endorsement.
t h g e l i D.
D.
If a local superintendent or governing h r i s authority certifies to the department that an emergency h , e h exists in the hiring of a qualified site administrator, the t u g e b l e e , gh department may issue a certificate of principalship waiver to n d d i = = o h a person who holds a level two or level three-A license but l ] b ,d i a º r does not meet the other requirements for a site administrator e r = t e w d m a n o license.
If a local superintendent or governing authority certifies to the department that an emergency exists in the hiring of a qualified site administrator, the department may issue a certificate of principalship waiver to a person who holds a level two or level three-A license but does not meet the other requirements for a site administrator license.
Certificates of principalship waivers are one-year d m :
Certificates of principalship waivers are one-year waivers and are not renewable.
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 24 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d waivers and are not renewable.
Certificates of superintendency waivers are one-year waivers and are not renewable." SECTION 12.
Certificates of superintendency waivers are one-year waivers and are not renewable." HB 157/a Page 23 SECTION 12.
[NEW MATERIAL ] SHORT TITLE.--Chapter 22, Article 10D NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "School Administrator Development Act"." SECTION 13.
SHORT TITLE.--Chapter 22, Article 10D NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "School Administrator Development Act"." SECTION 13.
h "22-10D-2.
"22-10D-2.
[NEW MATERIAL ] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the g o t hr School Administrator Development Act:
DEFINITIONS.--As used in the School Administrator Development Act:
g e i k A.
A.
"program" means a department-approved school h r i s administrator preparation program;
"program" means a department-approved school administrator preparation program;
and h , t, B.
and B.
"site administrator" means a school principal, e u g e b l e e h assistant school principal or charter school head n d d i = = o h administrator." l ] b ,d i a º e SECTION 14.
"site administrator" means a school principal, assistant school principal or charter school head administrator." SECTION 14.
A new section of the Public School Code, r i = r t e w d m a n o Section 22-10D-3 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
A new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-10D-3 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:
d m :
"22-10D-3.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 25 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d "22-10D-3.
STANDARDS-BASED SITE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS--REQUIREMENTS--DEPARTMENT APPROVAL.-- A.
[NEW MATERIAL] STANDARDS-BASED SITE ADMINISTRATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS--REQUIREMENTS--DEPARTMENT APPROVAL.-- A.
B.
HB 157/a Page 24 B.
(1) comprehensive curriculum aligned to h national and state standards;
(1) comprehensive curriculum aligned to national and state standards;
g o t hr (2) deliberate candidate recruitment and g e i k selection;
(2) deliberate candidate recruitment and selection;
h r i s (3) robust clinical experience;
(3) robust clinical experience;
h , t, (4) cohort structure with trained coaches;
(4) cohort structure with trained coaches;
e u g e b l e e h and n d d i = = o h (5) formal partnerships between programs and l ] b ,d i a º e school districts and charter schools.
and (5) formal partnerships between programs and school districts and charter schools.
r i = r t e w d m a n o C.
C.
The department shall convene a task force of d m :
The department shall convene a task force of site administrators, local superintendents and representatives of educator preparation programs to develop common performance tasks and rubrics that shall be completed by applicants for initial or professional site administrator licenses and superintendent licenses.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 26 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d site administrators, local superintendents and representatives of educator preparation programs to develop common performance tasks and rubrics that shall be completed by applicants for initial or professional site administrator licenses and superintendent licenses.
No later than July 1, HECº 2026»HEC HECº2027»HEC , programs shall be approved by the department before enrolling new students seeking site administrator licensure.
No later than July 1, 2027, programs shall be approved by the department before enrolling new students seeking site administrator licensure.
E.
HB 157/a Page 25 E.
The process shall be aligned with the School h Administrator Development Act and meet the general g o t hr requirements of the program as determined by the department.
The process shall be aligned with the School Administrator Development Act and meet the general requirements of the program as determined by the department.
g e i k F.
F.
All programs seeking approval pursuant to the h r i s School Administrator Development Act, including those h , t, approved prior to the effective date of that act, shall e u g e b l e e h submit an application to the department by January 15, n d d i = = o h HECº 2026»HEC HECº2027»HEC .
All programs seeking approval pursuant to the School Administrator Development Act, including those approved prior to the effective date of that act, shall submit an application to the department by January 15, 2027.
Applications shall provide the l ] b ,d i a º e information outlined in the school administrator preparation r i = r t e w d m a n o professional practices and standards manual published in d m :
Applications shall provide the information outlined in the school administrator preparation professional practices and standards manual published in accordance with Subsection E of this section.
b e d s º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e - 27 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d accordance with Subsection E of this section.
H.
HB 157/a Page 26 H.
Nothing in this section shall preclude the department from establishing or accepting equivalent requirements for the purposes of reciprocal licensure for out-of-state school administrators as provided in Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978." h SECTION 15.
Nothing in this section shall preclude the department from establishing or accepting equivalent requirements for the purposes of reciprocal licensure for out- of-state school administrators as provided in Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978." SECTION 15.
DELAYED REPEAL.--Sections 22-10A-11.3, u » r 22-10A-11.4 and 22-10A-17.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2009, t h g e l i Chapter 117, Section 2, Laws 2015, Chapter 74, Section 2 and h r i s Laws 2017, Chapter 68, Section 1, as amended) are repealed h , e h effective July 1, HECº 2028»HEC HECº2029»HEC .
DELAYED REPEAL.--Sections 22-10A-11.3, 22-10A-11.4 and 22-10A-17.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2009, Chapter 117, Section 2, Laws 2015, Chapter 74, Section 2 and Laws 2017, Chapter 68, Section 1, as amended) are repealed effective July 1, 2029.
t u g e b l e e , gh SECTION 16.
SECTION 16.
EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the n d d i = = o h provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
l ] b ,d i a º r - 28 - e r = t e w d m a n o d m :
HB 157/a Page 27 25
b r e t º o t n = .229436.2AIC March 18, 2025 (4:31pm) s k m e e a n e d r e l u [ A d
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Action History

  1. Signed

  2. House concurred in Senate amendments

  3. passed Senate

  4. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  5. DO PASS committee report adopted

  6. passed House

  7. Sent to Senate Education Committee & Senate Finance Committee

  8. DO PASS committee report adopted

  9. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  10. Sent to House Education Committee & House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee

Sponsors

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

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Not signed on (109)

109 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 157?
HB 157 is sponsored by Raymundo Lara (Democrat), Brian G. Baca (Republican), and Joy Garratt (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 157?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.
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