The bill amends the existing Rural Health Care Practitioner Tax Credit in New Mexico to expand the list of eligible health care practitioners who can claim the credit. The new legal language includes additional practitioners such as licensed practical nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, chiropractic physicians, and physical therapists. The credit amount remains the same, with a maximum of $5,000 for physicians and a maximum of $3,000 for the newly included practitioners, provided they meet the required hours of service in a rural health care underserved area.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "eligible health care practitioner" to encompass the newly added professions, ensuring they are recognized for their contributions in underserved areas. The process for claiming the credit remains unchanged, requiring practitioners to submit an application to the Department of Health and provide a certificate with their tax return. The bill aims to incentivize more health care professionals to serve in rural areas, thereby improving access to health care services in those communities.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 7-2-18.22