The bill establishes a new post-secondary education program for an associate degree in alcohol and drug abuse counseling specifically for qualified inmates in all state correctional facilities, including those operated under private contracts. The program will be administered by the corrections department, with Luna Community College responsible for granting the associate degree and New Mexico Highlands University tasked with developing the curriculum and providing technical assistance. The program is required to be accredited by a recognized agency and must meet the licensing requirements outlined in the Counseling and Therapy Practice Act.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $500,000 from the general fund to the corrections department for the establishment and administration of this program, effective for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. Any unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund, ensuring that the allocated resources remain available for the program's ongoing operation.