New Mexico SB241: CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT

What the bill says

An act relating to children; enacting the child care assistance program act; establishing the child care assistance program; providing for payments to child care facilities that participate in the child care assistance program; providing eligibility and regulatory requirements; providing for additional appropriations to the early childhood education and care program fund.

From the enrolled text, March 10, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN; ENACTING THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT; ESTABLISHING THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENTS TO CHILD CARE FACILITIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; PROVIDING ELIGIBILITY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE PROGRAM FUND. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 9-29A-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2020, Chapter 3, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "9-29A-1. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE FUND.-- A. The "early childhood education and care fund" is created within the state treasury. The fund shall consist of distributions, appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. Income from investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund. Money in the fund shall be expended only as provided in this section. B. The state investment officer, subject to the approval of the state investment council, shall invest money in the early childhood education and care fund: (1) in accordance with the prudent investor rule set forth in the Uniform Prudent Investor Act; and (2) in consultation with the state SFC/SB Page treasurer. C. The state investment officer shall report quarterly to the legislative finance committee and the state investment council on the investments made pursuant to this section. Annually, a report shall …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• George K. Muñoz (D, SD-004) · primary sponsor
• Doreen Y. Gallegos (D, HD-052)
• Linda M. Trujillo (D, SD-024)
• Michael Padilla (D, SD-014)
• Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales (D, SD-006)
• Angel M. Charley (D, SD-030)
• Mimi Stewart (D, SD-017)
• Peter Wirth (D, SD-025)

Latest actions

1. March 10, 2026: Signed by Governor - Chapter 63 - Mar. 10
2. February 18, 2026: Senate has concurred with House Amendments
3. February 17, 2026: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:37 N:19
4. February 17, 2026: HAFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
5. February 13, 2026: Sent to HAFC - Referrals: HAFC
6. February 12, 2026: Passed in the Senate - Y:25 N:15
7. February 12, 2026: Senate Floor Amendment
8. February 11, 2026: SFC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
9. February 6, 2026: SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
10. February 5, 2026: SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session

Votes

• House Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 37 yea, 19 nay, passed
• Senate Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 25 yea, 15 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB241?

SB241 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT.

What does SB241 do?

In its own words: An act relating to children; enacting the child care assistance program act; establishing the child care assistance program; providing for payments to child care facilities that participate in the child care assistance program; providing eligibility and regulatory requirements; providing for additional appropriations to the early childhood education and care program fund.

What is the status of SB241?

Signed into law as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 63 - Mar. 10 (March 10, 2026).

Who sponsored SB241?

George K. Muñoz (D, SD-004), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB241?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=241&year=26