This bill amends Section 22-2-8.1 of the New Mexico Statutes to allow up to sixty instructional hours per school year for middle and high school grades to be utilized for professional work hours. This change replaces the previous provision that allowed thirty instructional hours for these grades. The bill defines "professional work hours" as time during which teachers engage in activities aligned with academic content and performance standards, including home visits, parent-teacher conferences, educator training, and collaboration among school employees.

Additionally, the bill maintains that local school boards can establish school years or lengths of school days that exceed the minimum requirements, and it allows the secretary to waive minimum school day lengths in cases of undue hardship, ensuring that affected students still receive the same total instructional time as their peers. The bill also clarifies that time spent on breakfast during school hours counts as part of the instructional day, reinforcing the importance of integrating meal times into the educational schedule.