SENATE BILL 252

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

INTRODUCED BY

Natalie Figueroa

AN ACT

RELATING TO TELEHEALTH; AMENDING THE NEW MEXICO TELEHEALTH ACT TO ALLOW ALL LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 24-25-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 48, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "24-25-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the New Mexico Telehealth Act:

          A. "health care provider" means a person licensed, certified or registered to provide health care to patients in New Mexico, including:

                (1) an optometrist;

                (2) a chiropractic physician;

                (3) a dentist;

                (4) a physician;

                (5) a [podiatrist] podiatric physician;

                (6) an osteopathic physician;

                (7) a physician assistant;

                (8) a certified nurse practitioner;

                (9) a physical therapist;

                (10) an occupational therapist;

                (11) a speech-language pathologist;

                (12) a doctor of oriental medicine;

                (13) a nutritionist;

                (14) a psychologist;

                (15) a certified nurse-midwife;

                (16) a clinical nurse specialist;

                (17) a registered nurse;

                (18) a dental hygienist;

                (19) a pharmacist;

                (20) a licensed [independent] social worker;

                (21) a licensed counselor;

                (22) a community health representative; [or]

                (23) a licensed athletic trainer;

                (24) a certified peer support worker; or

                (25) any other health care professional who has received a medicaid provider identification number from the health care authority;

          B. "originating site" means a place where a patient may receive health care via telehealth. An originating site may include:

                (1) a licensed inpatient center;

                (2) an ambulatory surgical or treatment center;

                (3) a skilled nursing center;

                (4) a residential treatment center;

                (5) a home health agency;

                (6) a diagnostic laboratory or imaging center;

                (7) an assisted living center;

                (8) a school-based health program;

                (9) a mobile clinic;

                (10) a mental health clinic;

                (11) a rehabilitation or other therapeutic health setting;

                (12) the patient's residence;

                (13) a federally qualified health center; or

                (14) a community health center; and

          C. "telehealth" means the use of electronic information, imaging and communication technologies, including interactive audio, video, data communications as well as store-and-forward technologies, to provide and support health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of medical data and education."

- 3 -