New Mexico SB8: Medical Malpractice Changes

What the bill says

From the enrolled text:

SB0008 SENATE BILL 8 57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2025 INTRODUCED BY Anthony L. Thornton and Jay C. Block and Joshua A. Sanchez and Crystal Brantley and David M. Gallegos RELATING TO LITIGATION; AMENDING REQUIREMENTS FOR VENUE DETERMINATION; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINING VENUE IN CASES INVOLVING MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; AMENDING THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACT; LIMITING RECOVERY FROM THE PATIENT'S COMPENSATION FUND; REQUIRING PAYMENTS FROM THE PATIENT'S COMPENSATION FUND TO BE MADE AS EXPENSES ARE INCURRED; LIMITING ATTORNEY FEES IN MALPRACTICE CLAIMS; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE TO APPROVE PROPOSED SETTLEMENTS PAID FROM THE PATIENT'S COMPENSATION FUND; REMOVING A REQUIREMENT FOR SURCHARGES TO BE SET WITH THE INTENT OF BRINGING THE FUND TO SOLVENCY; CREATING THE PATIENT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION. SECTION 1. Section 38-3-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1875-1876, Chapter 2, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "38-3-1. COUNTY IN WHICH CIVIL ACTION IN DISTRICT COURT MAY BE COMMENCED.--All civil actions commenced in the district courts shall be brought and shall be commenced in counties as follows and not otherwise. A. First, except as provided in Subsection F of this section relating to foreign corporations, all transitory actions shall be brought in the county where either the plaintiff or defendant, or any one of them in case there is more than …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jay C. Block (R, SD-012) · primary sponsor
• Craig W. Brandt (R, SD-040) · primary sponsor
• Crystal Diamond Brantley (R, SD-035)
• Candy Spence Ezzell (R, SD-032)
• David M. Gallegos (R, SD-041)
• Steve D. Lanier (R, SD-002)
• Gabriel Ramos (R, SD-028)
• Joshua A. Sanchez (R, SD-029)
• William E. Sharer (R, SD-001)
• Anthony L. Thornton (R, SD-019)
• Nicole Tobiassen (R, SD-021)
• Pat Woods (R, SD-007)

Common questions

What is SB8?

SB8 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2025 1st Special Session): Medical Malpractice Changes.

What is the status of SB8?

Passed both chambers as of October 1, 2025.

Who sponsored SB8?

Jay C. Block (R, SD-012), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB8?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=8&year=25s