HOUSE BILL 197

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Eleanor Ch vez

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF NONDISCRIMINATION IN ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATION BENEFITS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 21-1-4.6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2005, Chapter 348, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "21-1-4.6. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY FOR ADMISSION TO ANY PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION--NONDISCRIMINATION IN ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATION BENEFITS.--

          A. A public post-secondary educational institution shall not deny admission to a student on account of the student's immigration status.

          B. Any tuition rate or state-funded financial aid that is granted to residents of New Mexico shall also be granted on the same terms to all persons, regardless of immigration status, who have:

                (1) attended a secondary educational institution in New Mexico for at least one year and [who have] either graduated from a New Mexico high school or received a high school equivalency credential in New Mexico;

                (2) attended at least one year of adult education courses accredited by the adult basic education division of the higher education department or one year at a New Mexico community college;

                (3) submitted documentation showing that the person or the person's parent or legal guardian has filed a New Mexico personal income tax return once in the immediately preceding two years; or

                (4) submitted an application to the United States citizenship and immigration services for special immigrant juvenile classification as provided in 8 U.S.C. Section 1101(a)(27)(J)."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2024.

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