New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB256: DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS
Status: Signed into law, March 10, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to school safety; requiring automated external defibrillators to be available during all school athletic activities.
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY; REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS TO BE AVAILABLE DURING ALL SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 22-33-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2025, Chapter 129, Section 3) is amended to read: "22-33-6. CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN--AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR.-- A. Each school shall develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel who are to respond to incidents involving a person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds or during a school athletic activity. Each cardiac emergency response plan shall: (1) be developed and implemented using core elements that are nationally recognized and evidence-based; (2) identify specific school personnel who will take action when a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency; (3) establish protocols for school personnel identified by the cardiac emergency response plan to follow when a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest or a HB Page similar life-threatening emergency; (4) determine appropriate locations for automated external defibrillators to be installed or made available; (5) provide for routine maintenance of the automated external defibrillator; and (6) be updated when necessary to be consistent with evidence-based guidelines. B. Every school in the state shall install an …
Sponsors
- Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028) · primary sponsor
- Yanira Gurrola (D, HD-016)
- D. Wonda Johnson (D, HD-005)
- Patricia Roybal Caballero (D, HD-013)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 66 - Mar. 10
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:39 N:0
- : SHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to SHPAC - Referrals: SHPAC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:66 N:0
- : HEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC/HEC
- : Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar, ordered printed and referred to
- : Not Printed
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 19, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Vote (February 14, 2026): 66 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION, PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Common questions
- What is HB256?
- HB256 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS.
- What does HB256 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to school safety; requiring automated external defibrillators to be available during all school athletic activities.
- What is the status of HB256?
- Signed into law as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 66 - Mar. 10 (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB256?
- Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB256?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=256&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.