New Mexico SB20: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

What the bill says

An act relating to insurance; applying the requirements of the prior authorization act to pharmacy benefits managers contracted with entities subject to the health care purchasing act; prohibiting prior authorization for certain prescription drugs prescribed to treat serious mental illness; limiting prior authorization for drugs that treat chronic health conditions.

From the enrolled text, March 6, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE; APPLYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION ACT TO PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS CONTRACTED WITH ENTITIES SUBJECT TO THE HEALTH CARE PURCHASING ACT; PROHIBITING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS PRESCRIBED TO TREAT SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS; LIMITING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR DRUGS THAT TREAT CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 59A-22B-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019, Chapter 187, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read: "59A-22B-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Prior Authorization Act: A. "adjudicate" means to approve or deny a request for prior authorization; B. "auto-adjudicate" means to use technology and automation to make a near-real-time determination to approve, deny or pend a request for prior authorization; C. "chronic health condition" means a condition that lasts one or more years and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living; D. "chronic maintenance drug" means a medication approved by the federal food and drug administration to be taken regularly for the treatment of chronic health STBTC/SHPAC/SB Page conditions; E. "covered person" means an individual who is insured under a health benefits plan; F. "emergency care" means medical care, pharmaceutical benefits or related benefits to a covered person after the sudden onset of what reasonably appears to be a medical condition that manifests …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039) · primary sponsor
• Martin Hickey (D, SD-020)
• Linda M. López (D, SD-011)
• Reena Szczepanski (D, HD-047)
• Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson (D, HD-024)
• Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015)

Latest actions

1. March 6, 2026: Signed by Governor - Chapter 47 - Mar. 6
2. February 19, 2026: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:43 N:6
3. February 16, 2026: HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
4. February 12, 2026: Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
5. February 12, 2026: Passed in the Senate - Y:36 N:1
6. February 11, 2026: STBTC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
7. February 7, 2026: SHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
8. January 29, 2026: SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
9. January 26, 2026: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/STBTC

Votes

• House Floor Vote (February 18, 2026): 43 yea, 6 nay, passed
• Senate Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 36 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB20?

SB20 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PRIOR AUTHORIZATION & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

What does SB20 do?

In its own words: An act relating to insurance; applying the requirements of the prior authorization act to pharmacy benefits managers contracted with entities subject to the health care purchasing act; prohibiting prior authorization for certain prescription drugs prescribed to treat serious mental illness; limiting prior authorization for drugs that treat chronic health conditions.

What is the status of SB20?

Signed into law as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 47 - Mar. 6 (March 6, 2026).

Who sponsored SB20?

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB20?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=20&year=26