PED outlines rule changes on AED training, school nurse licensure, community schools and bilingual teacher requirements

Analyst Sarai briefed the committee on four PED rule actions affecting schools and licensure.

Adopted AED staff training rule: Sarai said adopted rule 6.60.11 (New Mexico Administrative Code) implements 2025 legislation (House Bill 54) requiring schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and install automated external defibrillators. The rule defines AED devices, specifies which school personnel must complete AED and CPR training consistent with American Heart Association standards, and requires districts and charters to designate emergency responders (10% of staff or five individuals, whichever is greater). The rule staggers implementation by school type (high schools by 2026–27; elementary, middle, charter and private schools by 2028) and clarifies PED’s responsibility for ethical misconduct training (recognizing and reporting child abuse). Sarai told the committee the rule was adopted Dec. 11 and would take effect Dec. 23.

Proposed nurse licensure rule: Sarai summarized proposed rule amendment 6.63 to establish a three‑tiered school nurse licensure system (Levels 1–3) to align with a 2025 law (HB 195). The proposed rule would set updated licensure requirements, competency expectations, mentorship and evaluation processes and would allow a tiered salary system to better compensate school nurses. Public comment on this proposal runs through Jan. 12, 2026; if adopted the rule would be effective Jan. 27, 2026.

Community schools rule proposal: Sarai described proposed repeal/replace of rule 6.30.15 to align with SB 387 and national research. Key changes include revising the community schools framework to six core practices, requiring each community school to employ a full‑time community school coordinator who meets PED qualifications and convenes site teams at least twice a month, aligning grant award language with statute and allowing implementation grants of $150,000 per year for three years. The proposed amendment would broaden coalition membership criteria (from specific enumerated roles to more inclusive language); staff said they did not see that change as conflicting with requirements arising from the Yazzie/Martinez litigation.

Beginner bilingual teacher licensure: Sarai reviewed proposed repeal/replacement of rule 6.64.10 to standardize coursework and testing requirements for bilingual endorsements. The proposal would require at least 24 semester hours (including 12 in bilingual education) for initial endorsement, define translanguaging competencies and allow applicants pursuing Native American language certification to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards.

Committee discussion focused on sequencing, fiscal impacts and the Yazzie/Martinez context. Members asked whether the broader coalition language in the community schools proposal could create conflicts with remedies from Yazzie/Martinez; staff said they did not expect conflict but invited PED staff to respond to technical questions. Members also raised AED presence at athletic events and the timeline for nurse licensure rule adoption; PED staff noted the AED rule requires schools to have AEDs on campus but does not mandate presence at every athletic event and that the nurse rule and associated legislation remain necessary for full implementation of the tiered system.

What’s next: public comment windows were noted (most end Jan. 12, 2026) and staff asked members to submit specific rule feedback through the public comment process.