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Committee approves memorial asking Higher Ed to study parenting students' needs

Senate Rules Committee ยท February 4, 2026

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Summary

Senate Memorial 16, which asks the Higher Education Department to convene a task force and collect data on parenting students (child care, scheduling, transportation), received a do-pass recommendation; the memorial does not change law but requests a one-year data collection to report back to the Legislature.

An unidentified sponsor introduced Senate Memorial 16 asking the New Mexico Higher Education Department to convene a task force to identify and study supports for parenting students in higher education, including child care, flexible scheduling and transportation.

The sponsor said the memorial "does not change law. It does not mandate new programs. It simply asks the state to study the issue and bring back recommendations to the legislature." Witnesses and students described campus practices such as family-friendly spaces and lactation rooms at Santa Fe Community College and the University of New Mexico as examples of how collecting the parenting-student indicator can lead to targeted services. Genesis Ramirez, introduced as a student, spoke about barriers parenting students face.

Committee members asked whether institutions already collect the data, how private or online students would be reached, and who would administer the survey. Witnesses said some institutions already collect the question as part of registration and that the Department of Higher Education would administer an ongoing survey, likely added to an existing EDIR registration questionnaire. The sponsor and witnesses said the task force would aim to gather three semesters of data in about one year so the Legislature could consider follow-up appropriations or policy changes.

The committee voted to give Senate Memorial 16 a do-pass recommendation; the memorial advances to the full Senate. Because it is a memorial, it makes a request for study and recommendations rather than creating new law or funding.