HOUSE BILL 489

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

INTRODUCED BY

E. Diane Torres-Velásquez and Pamelya Herndon and Harold Pope and Janelle Anyanonu

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE BLACK EDUCATION LIAISON; ASSIGNING THE DUTY OF LINKING TO AN ONLINE REPORTING PORTAL; PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE PORTAL IS CONFIDENTIAL; CHANGING WHITE PAPERS TO POLICY BRIEFS OR POSITION PAPERS.

 

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

     SECTION 1. Section 22-23C-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2021, Chapter 51, Section 5) is amended to read:

     "22-23C-5. BLACK EDUCATION LIAISON CREATED--DUTIES.--

          A. The "Black education liaison" is created in the department.

          B. The liaison shall:

                (1) focus on issues related to Black education and advise the secretary and the council on the development and implementation of public policy regarding the education of Black students;

                (2) advise the department and the council on the development and implementation of the five-year strategic plan for public elementary and secondary education in the state as the plan relates to [Black student] the education of Black students;

                (3) assist and be assisted by other staff in the department and in the higher education department to improve elementary, secondary and post-secondary educational outcomes for Black students;

                (4) maintain and update information on the department's website or a separate website that includes:

                     (a) subject to funding, links to a statewide [hotline] online reporting portal for reporting [racially charged incidents] school-based incidents of racism or racial discrimination against anyone. A submission and any information in connection to the submission made through the online portal is not a public record and is exempt from the Inspection of Public Records Act;

                     (b) links to the department's Black education [white] policy briefs or position papers as well as other pertinent research; and

                     (c) information on and links to historically Black colleges and universities;

                (5) serve as a resource to enable school districts and charter schools to provide equitable and culturally relevant learning environments, educational opportunities and culturally relevant instructional materials for Black students enrolled in public schools;

                (6) support and consult with the council;

                (7) support school districts and charter schools to recruit parents on site-based and school district committees that represent the ethnic diversity of the community; and

                (8) implement activities that are recommended and prioritized by the council within available funding."

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