New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB120: LIMITING STUDENT RESTRAINT & SECLUSION
Status: Passed one chamber, February 18, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to public schools; addressing allowable responses to student behavior; limiting the use of physical restraint and seclusion; prohibiting other types of restraint and seclusion; requiring training; requiring documentation of behaviors and techniques.
From the introduced text, January 22, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; ADDRESSING ALLOWABLE RESPONSES TO STUDENT BEHAVIOR; LIMITING THE USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION; PROHIBITING OTHER TYPES OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION; REQUIRING TRAINING; REQUIRING DOCUMENTATION OF BEHAVIORS AND TECHNIQUES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 22-5-4.12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2017, Chapter 33, Section 1) is amended to read: "22-5-4.12. USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION-- PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES--TECHNIQUES--REQUIREMENTS.-- A. As used in this section: (1) "chemical restraint" means a medication used to control behavior or movement; provided that "chemical restraint" does not include the administration of medication .232587.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ prescribed by a health care provider as standard treatment for the mental or physical condition of a student; (2) "de-escalation" means a process that involves using communication or other techniques to reduce the intensity of a potentially violent situation or conflict; (3) "elopement" means a student leaving an assigned area without permission from or knowledge of a school employee; (4) "first responder" means a person based outside of a public school who functions within the emergency medical services system and who is dispatched to a public school to provide initial emergency aid; (5) "less restrictive intervention" includes positive behavior interventions and supports and de-escalation; (6) "mechanical restraint" means the …
Sponsors
- Yanira Gurrola (D, HD-016) · primary sponsor
- E. Diane Torres-Velásquez (D, HD-030)
- Natalie Figueroa (D, SD-018)
- Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson (D, HD-024)
- Patricia Roybal Caballero (D, HD-013)
Latest actions
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to SEC - Referrals: SEC/SJC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:40 N:23
- : House of Representatives Floor Amendment
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : HEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HEC - Referrals: HEC/HJC
- : Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar, ordered printed and referred to
- : Not Printed
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 11, 2026): 40 yea, 23 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION, PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Common questions
- What is HB120?
- HB120 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): LIMITING STUDENT RESTRAINT & SECLUSION.
- What does HB120 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to public schools; addressing allowable responses to student behavior; limiting the use of physical restraint and seclusion; prohibiting other types of restraint and seclusion; requiring training; requiring documentation of behaviors and techniques.
- What is the status of HB120?
- Passed one chamber as of February 18, 2026. Latest action: SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation (February 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB120?
- Yanira Gurrola (D, HD-016), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB120?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=120&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.