Senate committee advances bill to create substance‑abuse counselor associate degree for incarcerated people

Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino’s Senate Bill 325, which would authorize development and delivery of an associate degree in substance‑abuse counseling for people who are incarcerated, cleared the Senate Education Committee as amended on a 9‑0 vote. The committee adopted language directing resources to the Department of Corrections and broadening permitted uses to include contracts, services, materials and other costs needed to implement the program.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Campos, told the committee the measure creates an associate degree program that would be offered inside correctional facilities and would aim to certify and prepare people leaving incarceration to provide counseling for addictions.

Motions and amendments approved by the committee changed the bill’s wording from “establishing” to “implementing” and removed language tying the program specifically to named institutions, instead directing funds to the Department of Corrections while allowing partnerships with New Mexico Highlands University and Luna Community College to develop curriculum and provide technical assistance. The adopted amendment also expanded eligible uses to “contracts, services, materials and other necessary costs” to support full program operation.

The committee received questions about whether people still incarcerated could receive licensure. Alicia Tafoya Lucero, Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Corrections, said the department has been working with the Regulation and Licensing Department and the Human Services/Health Care Authority on models for peer‑mentor licensing. "We do quite a lot of peer education and peer mentorship programs where we also work with the Health Care Authority and the University of New Mexico to get people licensed as inside peer mentors," she said, adding that incarcerated people currently can earn practicum hours under the supervision of licensed professionals inside facilities but that the formal process to license people while still incarcerated has not yet been implemented.

Senator Nizalowski (Nizau) said she supports the bill’s intent but warned that licensing rules may restrict licensure for people who are still incarcerated; committee staff and the Department of Corrections agreed to follow up with more research for the committee. After discussion the committee moved a “do pass” recommendation on the bill as amended.

The bill drew support from officials in higher education and local superintendents who attended the hearing and from committee members who framed the measure as part of behavioral‑health and reentry supports. The committee vote was recorded as unanimous, 9 yes, 0 no.