RELATING TO HEALTH; PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A DENTAL HEALTH CAREER LADDER PROGRAM THROUGH NEW MEXICO'S STATE-SUPPORTED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

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

Section 1. DENTAL HEALTH CAREER LADDER PROGRAM--COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.--

A. The commission on higher education shall develop and implement by July 1, 2000 a statewide dental health career ladder program to include all appropriate state-supported post-secondary educational institutions.

B. The dental health career ladder program shall include the following programs:

(1) dental office auxiliary training;

(2) dental assistant certification;

(3) dental hygienist associate degree;

(4) dental hygienist bachelor's degree; and

(5) dental hygienist master's degree.

C. The dental health career ladder program shall:

(1) be structured to produce trained individuals for service in geographical areas underserved in New Mexico;

(2) use existing educational programs and distribute needed training programs throughout the state;

(3) accommodate welfare-to-work clients and nontraditional students;

(4) ensure consistency in accumulation and transfer of credit hours from institution to institution and from one degree program to another;

(5) seek accreditation for each program so as to facilitate professional licensing;

(6) recognize and incorporate relevant work experience in awarding educational credit;

(7) use alternative methods of course delivery, including distance education and partnerships with the private sector;

(8) use expertise from both educators and dental professionals in designing and implementing programs; and

(9) assist the New Mexico board of dental health care to develop and provide continuing education programs.

Section 2. LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS REPORT.--The commission on higher education shall report its progress in developing and implementing Section 1 of this act, including projected fiscal needs of the dental health career ladder program, to the interim legislative health and human services committee before September 1, 1999.