This bill amends existing laws regarding the salaries of educational assistants and school personnel in New Mexico. It raises the minimum annual salary for licensed educational assistants from $25,000 to $30,000, effective in the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, it establishes that all school districts must pay a minimum wage rate of $15.00 per hour or a minimum annual salary of $30,000 to all school personnel, regardless of whether they are licensed or unlicensed.

The bill also outlines the qualifications and licensure requirements for educational assistants, ensuring they work under the supervision of licensed staff and meet federal standards for paraprofessionals in Title 1 programs. Furthermore, it allows licensed educational assistants who are pursuing teacher preparation programs to take professional leave, provided it minimizes disruption to the school day. The provisions of this act will apply starting in the 2025-2026 school year and in subsequent years.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-10A-17.1, 21-1B-4