SCHOOL NURSE LICENSURE PROVISIONS
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HB 34 — SCHOOL NURSE LICENSURE PROVISIONS
Last action — Signed
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 05, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democratic) on March 06, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
109 added · 1 removedPlain-language change summary
The amendment to HB 34 clarifies that the licensure provisions for school nurses now explicitly include those employed by charter schools. This change ensures that charter schools have the same requirements and resources available for school nurses as traditional public schools, promoting consistent health care standards for all students. By doing so, it aims to improve the overall support and evaluation process for school nurses, particularly those just starting their careers.
57THAN LEGISLATUREACT -STATEOFNEWMEXICO-RELATING SECONDTO SESSION,SCHOOL 2026PERSONNEL;
CHANGING LICENSURE PROVISIONS FOR SCHOOL NURSES;
CLARIFYING THAT PROVISIONS INCLUDE SCHOOL NURSES EMPLOYED BY CHARTER SCHOOLS.
6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1.
Section 22-10A-8.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2025, Chapter 150, Section 3) is amended to read:
"22-10A-8.2.
SCHOOL NURSES--LEVEL ONE LICENSURE.-- A.
A level one license is a provisional three-year license for beginning registered nurses who do not have at least three years of nursing experience satisfactory to the department prior to being licensed as a school nurse and that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a level two or level three school nurse.
If a school district or charter school does not have a level two or level three school nurse to perform the mentorship and evaluation for a level one school nurse, the school district or charter school shall defer to the department of health for guidance.
A registered nurse with at least three years of nursing experience satisfactory to the department is not required to serve as a level one school nurse.
B.
Each school district or charter school, in HB 34/a Page 1 accordance with department rules, shall provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one school nurses.
At the end of each year and at the end of the license period, the level one school nurse shall be evaluated for competency.
If the school nurse fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence annually, the school nurse may be terminated as provided in Section 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978.
C.
Except in exigent circumstances defined by department rule, a level one license shall not be extended beyond the initial period.
D.
The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age who:
(1) holds an associate or baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited educational institution;
(2) is licensed by the board of nursing as a registered nurse;
and (3) meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.
E.
The department shall establish competencies and qualifications for level one licensure.
F.
The minimum salary for a level one school nurse is the same as that for a level one teacher.
G.
After the issuance of a license, a license HB 34/a Page 2 holder shall not be required to meet changed requirements to maintain the license until such time as the license expires and the license holder seeks renewal of the license." SECTION 2.
Section 22-10A-10.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2025, Chapter 150, Section 4) is amended to read:
"22-10A-10.1.
SCHOOL NURSES--LEVEL TWO LICENSURE.-- A.
A level two license is a nine-year license granted to a nurse who:
(1) has demonstrated satisfactory progress and competency as a level one school nurse;
or (2) has at least three years of registered nursing experience satisfactory to the department.
B.
If a level two school nurse does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district or charter school shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year.
If by the end of that school year the school nurse fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district or charter school may choose not to contract with the school nurse.
C.
The minimum salary for a level two school nurse is the same as that for a level two teacher." SECTION 3.
Section 22-10A-11.11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2025, Chapter 150, Section 5) is amended to read:
Show all 54 changed lines (14 more)
"22-10A-11.11.
SCHOOL NURSES--LEVEL THREE LICENSURE.-- HB 34/a Page 3 A.
A level three license is a nine-year license granted to a nurse who meets the qualifications for that level.
If a level three school nurse does not demonstrate essential nursing competency in a given school year, the school district or charter school shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year.
If by the end of that school year the school nurse fails to demonstrate essential nursing competency, a school district or charter school may choose not to contract with the school nurse.
B.
The department shall grant a level three license to an applicant who:
(1) has been a level two school nurse for at least three years or has at least three years of registered nursing experience;
(2) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or is certified by the national board for certification of school nurses;
and (3) meets other qualifications for the license as determined by the department.
C.
The minimum salary for a level three school nurse is the same as that for a level three-A teacher." SECTION 4.
EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2026.
HB 34/a Page 4 25
Show all 54 changed rows (14 more)
View plain text versions (3)
- Final Version View text Current pdf
- Amended Amendments in Context pdf
- Introduced introduced version pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill clarifies that licensure provisions for school nurses apply to those employed by charter schools.
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Section 22-10A-8.2
that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a level two or level three school nurse. If a school district or charter school does not have a level two or level three school nurse to perform the mentorship and evaluation for a level one school nurse, the school district or charter school shall defer to the department of health for guidance.
Adds provisions for mentorship and evaluation of level one school nurses specifically mentioning charter schools.
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Section 22-10A-10.1
If a level two school nurse does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district or charter school shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year.
Mandates that charter schools provide additional support and mentorship to level two school nurses who do not demonstrate essential competency.
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Section 22-10A-11.11
If a level three school nurse does not demonstrate essential nursing competency in a given school year, the school district or charter school shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year.
Requires charter schools to offer additional professional development and mentorship to level three school nurses who fail to demonstrate essential competency.
Action History
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Signed
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passed Senate
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DO PASS committee report adopted
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DO PASS committee report adopted
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Sent to Senate Education Committee & Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee
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passed House
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DO PASS committee report adopted
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DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted
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Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee & House Education Committee
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withdrawn printed germane prefile
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not printed House Rules and Order of Business Committee
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Sent to House Pre-file
Sponsors
- Natalie Figueroa · Primary
- Joy Garratt · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 110 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
- Natalie Figueroa Democrat
- Joy Garratt Democrat
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (110)
110 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 110 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 34?
- HB 34 is sponsored by Natalie Figueroa (Democrat) and Joy Garratt (Democrat).
- What is the current status of HB 34?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 05, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 34?
- Track HB 34 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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