HOUSE BILL 15

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Marianna Anaya and Katy M. Duhigg and Jenifer Jones

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; CREATING THE HEALTH CARE STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT PROGRAM IN THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING SERVICES FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN HEALTH CARE SHORTAGE FIELDS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] HEALTH CARE STRATEGIC RECRUITMENT PROGRAM.--

          A. As used in this section:

                (1) "department" means the workforce solutions department;

                (2) "program" means the health care strategic recruitment program; and

                (3) "qualified health care provider" means a licensed or unlicensed clinical worker in a health care profession or allied health practice that qualifies for the program.

          B. The "health care strategic recruitment program" is created in the department. The department, in collaboration with the health care authority, the department of health and the higher education department, shall promulgate rules to enumerate the health care professions and allied health practices that shall be targeted in the program, including qualified health care providers in health care shortage fields.

          C. The program shall assist in the recruitment of qualified health care providers, each of whom meets the following qualifications:

                (1) graduated within the last ten years from a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution in a degree- or certificate-granting educational program in a health care shortage field; and

                (2) does not currently work in health care in the state.

          D. The program shall:

                (1) assist recruitment efforts of New Mexico communities, health care facilities and health care practices for health care shortage fields;

                (2) engage in active outreach to New Mexico graduates who are qualified to work in health care shortage fields;

                (3) share information about relevant recruitment incentives that New Mexico offers;

                (4) provide navigators to help applicants through the process of licensing and credentialing and act as a liaison with agencies as appropriate;

                (5) provide other assistance to qualified health care providers as appropriate;

                (6) compile and use relevant alumni contact data from public post-secondary educational institutions;

                (7) track and compile information for relevant recruitment and retention incentive programs across New Mexico; and

                (8) compile and share with the applicant information for relevant job openings, housing and community and area amenities.

          E. The department shall report annually to the governor and the legislature on the success of the program, including:

                (1) analyses of collected data, services provided and the impact on successful job attainment;

                (2) the number of graduates in the total potential applicant pool;

                (3) the number of successful applicants;

                (4) the number of successful hires and their job sites;

                (5) reasons an applicant may or may not want to apply for the program;

                (6) the number of days from recruitment to job placement;

                (7) obstacles that applicants face in the application process; and

                (8) other data the department or the legislature deems important. The report shall include recommendations for improvements to the program and necessary statutory changes.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two million dollars ($2,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the workforce solutions department for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 for staff, equipment, furniture and supplies and other start-up costs for the health care strategic recruitment program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

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