Bill > HB490

This bill modifies New Mexico's school discipline policies to expand protections for students and create a more inclusive educational environment. The legislation adds several new protected characteristics to prevent discrimination, including disability, home language, gender, and family income level. Schools are now explicitly prohibited from demeaning, bullying, or punishing students based on these characteristics or their use of cultural symbols. The bill also establishes an online portal for reporting racially motivated incidents, with a key provision that submissions to this portal will be confidential and exempt from public record requirements. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions allowing students to carry and self-administer prescribed asthma and anaphylaxis medications, provided they meet certain conditions such as demonstrating proper usage and obtaining necessary documentation from healthcare providers and parents. The legislation defines specific terms like "cultural or religious headdresses" and "protective hairstyles" to provide clarity, and continues to require school districts to develop discipline policies collaboratively with parents, school personnel, and students. Importantly, the bill provides legal protection for school employees who report or attempt to enforce these discipline policies in good faith.

Education

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=490&year=25