New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 23 / December 9, 2025

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Public Hearing

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) gives notice on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, that it will conduct a public hearing for the following proposed rulemakings on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MDT) in Mabry Hall, located in the Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

Amendment of 6.30.15 NMAC, Community Schools

Repeal and Replace of 6.63.2 NMAC, Licensure for School Nurses, Grades Pre K-12

Repeal and Replace of 6.64.10 NMAC, Competencies for Entry-Level Bilingual Education Teachers

The PED will give a verbal summary statement, on record, at the hearing.

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public input on the proposed rulemakings. Attendees who wish to provide public comments on the record will be given three minutes to make a statement concerning the proposed rulemaking. To submit written comments, please see the Public Comment section of this notice.

Explanation of Purpose of Rulemaking, Summary of Text, and Statutory Authority

6.30.15 NMAC, Community Schools

Explanation: Make updates based on amendments to the Community Schools Act, per SB387 from the 2025 Legislative Session and for the implementation of community school programs that reflect current practice.

Summary: The proposed amendment would update definitions and provisions pertaining to community schools. It would incorporate the current community school key practices, implement requirements for community school strategic plans, and simplify provisions on the appointment and duties of the community school coordinator and the coalition for community schools.

Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-32-1 et seq. NMSA 1978.

6.63.2 NMAC, Licensure for School Nurses, Grades Pre K-12

Explanation: Make updates based on changes to the School Personnel Act, per HB195 from the 2025 Legislative Session.

Summary: The proposed rulemaking would restructure the school nurse licensure system to include three licensure levels. It would define provisions for obtaining a license, competencies for each licensure level, exigent circumstances for keeping a license past its allotted time period, and procedures for mentorship of level one school nurses.

Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, 22-10A-8.2, 22-10A-10.1, 22-10A-11.11, 22-10A-17, and 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978.

6.64.10 NMAC, Competencies for Entry-Level Bilingual Education Teachers

Explanation: Update competency requirements for bilingual education teachers to align with current department practices and recommendations from the bilingual competencies workgroup.

Summary: The proposed rulemaking would detail the testing and coursework requirements for beginning bilingual education teachers. It would also make changes to competency requirements to reflect tribal standards for tribal language proficiency and require teacher knowledge of translanguaging, theories of appropriately teaching heritage learners, oracy, biliteracy, and multiliteracies.

Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-10A-31 NMSA 1978.

No technical information served as a basis for these proposed rule changes.

Public Comment

Interested parties may provide comments at the public hearing or may submit written comments by mail or e-mail.

Mailing Address

Policy and Legislative Affairs Division

New Mexico Public Education Department

300 Don Gaspar Avenue, Room 121

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

E-Mail Address

Rule.Feedback@ped.nm.gov

Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. (MDT) on Monday, January 12, 2026. The PED encourages early submission of written comments.

Public Comment Period

The public comment period is from Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (MDT). The PED will review all feedback received during the public comment period and issue communication regarding a final decision of the proposed rulemaking at a later date.

Copies of the proposed rule may be obtained from Denise Terrazas at (505) 470-5303 during regular business hours or may be accessed through the PED Policy and Legislative Affairs webpage titled, “Proposed Rules,” at http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/policy-innovation-measurement/rule-notification/.

Individuals with disabilities who require the above information in an alternative format or need any form of auxiliary aid to attend or participate in the public hearing are asked to contact Denise Terrazas at (505) 470-5303 as soon as possible before the date set for the public hearing. The PED requires at least 10 calendar days advance notice to provide any special accommodations requested.