New Mexico HB173: DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST PROGRAM

What the bill says

An act relating to health; creating the dementia care specialist program; prescribing duties to the aging and long-term services department; requiring reporting; making an appropriation.

From the introduced text, January 27, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH; CREATING THE DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST PROGRAM; PRESCRIBING DUTIES TO THE AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT; REQUIRING REPORTING; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST PROGRAM CREATED.-- A. As used in this section: (1) "dementia" means a disorder that results in cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and other neurocognitive disorders as recognized by nationally accepted clinical standards; (2) "dementia care specialist" means a person employed or contracted by the department or a department- .233098.2 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ designated provider that is trained to provide dementiaspecific care coordination, early detection support, systems navigation, caregiver education, community outreach or workforce training; (3) "department" means the aging and long-term services department; and (4) "program" means the dementia care specialist program. B. The "dementia care specialist program" is created as a program administered by the department to provide support for persons or families of persons experiencing dementia. C. The department (2) employ or contract for dementia care specialists to serve throughout the state; (3) require dementia care specialists to provide: (a) cognitive assessments and care planning for persons living with dementia and their caregivers; (b) assistance with early detection, including community cognitive assessments …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028) · primary sponsor
• Kathleen Cates (D, HD-044)
• Reena Szczepanski (D, HD-047)

Latest actions

1. January 27, 2026: Not Printed
2. : Action Postponed Indefinitely

Common questions

What is HB173?

HB173 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST PROGRAM.

What does HB173 do?

In its own words: An act relating to health; creating the dementia care specialist program; prescribing duties to the aging and long-term services department; requiring reporting; making an appropriation.

What is the status of HB173?

Failed as of January 27, 2026. Latest action: Not Printed (January 27, 2026).

Who sponsored HB173?

Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB173?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=173&year=26