New Mexico HB269: CHILDCARE PROGRAM USE OF FUNDS

What the bill says

An act relating to child care; providing limitations for use of funds received by a licensed child care program and licensed early childhood care program in contracting with the early childhood education and care department; prohibiting the early childhood education and care department from contracting with certain business entities.

From the introduced text, February 2, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD CARE; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS FOR USE OF FUNDS RECEIVED BY A LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAM AND LICENSED EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE PROGRAM IN CONTRACTING WITH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE DEPARTMENT; PROHIBITING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE DEPARTMENT FROM CONTRACTING WITH CERTAIN BUSINESS ENTITIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 32A-23C-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2018, Chapter 44, Section 1) is amended to read: "32A-23C-1. SHORT TITLE.--[This act] Chapter 32A, Article 23C NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Early Childhood Care Accountability Act"." SECTION 2. A new section of the Early Childhood Care Accountability Act is enacted to read: .232194.3 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ "[NEW MATERIAL] LICENSED CHILDHOOD CARE PROGRAMS-- APPROPRIATIONS MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT--LIMITATIONS.-- A. As used in this section: (1) "department" means the early childhood education and care department; (2) "investment firm" means a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company that has as its primary business activity the investment of funds in return for equity in or debt of businesses for the purpose of purchasing a direct or indirect ownership share or controlling interest in companies or investing in other assets; and (3) "investment fund" means an entity managed by an investment firm that makes, manages or sources …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Linda Serrato (D, HD-045) · primary sponsor
• Javier Martínez (D, HD-011)

Latest actions

1. February 2, 2026: Not Printed
2. : Action Postponed Indefinitely

Common questions

What is HB269?

HB269 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CHILDCARE PROGRAM USE OF FUNDS.

What does HB269 do?

In its own words: An act relating to child care; providing limitations for use of funds received by a licensed child care program and licensed early childhood care program in contracting with the early childhood education and care department; prohibiting the early childhood education and care department from contracting with certain business entities.

What is the status of HB269?

Failed as of February 2, 2026. Latest action: Not Printed (February 2, 2026).

Who sponsored HB269?

Linda Serrato (D, HD-045), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for HB269?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=269&year=26