SENATE BILL 37

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; REQUIRING RESIDENT STUDENTS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE OR TO PURCHASE INSTITUTION-PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE AS A CONDITION TO ADMISSION TO A POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.

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

     Section 1. PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE ADMISSION OF RESIDENT STUDENTS.--

          A. A public post-secondary educational institution shall not admit a resident student unless:

                (1) the student can provide proof of being covered by a health insurance policy or plan that provides substantially the same or greater health insurance coverage than a health insurance policy or plan generally offered to students by the institution; or

                (2) the student purchases coverage under the health insurance policy or plan generally offered to students by the institution.

          B. This section does not apply to a resident student who is provided health insurance under a scholarship or other program administered by the higher education department.

          C. The higher education department shall establish criteria and guidelines for a resident student to provide proof of appropriate health insurance.

          D. As used in this section, "resident student" means a resident student as defined by the higher education department pursuant to Subsection G of Section 21-1-4 NMSA 1978.

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2008.

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