Bill > HB295

This bill, titled the "Accessibility Act," mandates that all state agency websites, mobile applications, and physical facilities must meet specific digital and physical accessibility standards to ensure they are usable by people with disabilities. The Department of Information Technology will establish and update these digital accessibility standards, which are based on established guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA. Physical accessibility standards will align with federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The bill creates a new "Office of Accessibility" within the Governor's Commission on Disability, led by a chief accessibility officer, to help state agencies comply with these requirements by providing technical assistance, training, and developing standardized compliance processes. State agencies must post accessibility statements on their websites and will be required to report their compliance efforts to the office, which will then compile a comprehensive report for state leadership and the public every two years, starting July 1, 2027. Agencies are not required to make changes that would fundamentally alter their services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. The act will become effective on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=295&year=26