Jake Smith critiques HB 131 over health data breach accountability

The New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss several legislative matters, with a significant focus on House Bill 131 (HB 131). The meeting featured testimony from Jake Smith, a representative from the Sandoval Governance Change Project, who voiced strong opposition to the bill.

Smith raised concerns about the transfer of responsibilities from the New Mexico Department of Health to the New Mexico Health Care Authority, claiming it lacked accountability. He highlighted a serious breach in the database system of the Department of Health that he reported in January 2024, which he stated compromised the personal identification information of healthcare professionals across the state. Smith emphasized that this breach could expose individuals to identity theft, affecting approximately 55,000 background checks conducted annually by the Caregiver Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP). He urged the committee to ensure proper oversight and accountability regarding the handling of sensitive information.

Following Smith's testimony, the committee discussed the bill further. A motion for a "due pass" was made and approved without objection, indicating that the committee supports advancing the bill despite the concerns raised.

The meeting also included mentions of additional supporters for various legislative initiatives, although specific details on those discussions were not elaborated upon. The committee's actions signal a continued push for legislative changes, even amidst significant concerns regarding data security and accountability in healthcare management.

As the committee moves forward, the implications of HB 131 and the issues surrounding the data breach will likely remain a focal point of discussion in future sessions.