The Graduate Behavioral Health Scholarship Act aims to provide debt-free education to eligible graduate students pursuing degrees in behavioral health fields. The act establishes a scholarship program administered by the Higher Education Department, which will award scholarships covering tuition, fees, books, and licensing costs for students enrolled in approved graduate behavioral health degree programs. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time, maintain good academic standing, and commit to practicing in New Mexico for a duration equal to the time they received the scholarship. The act also outlines the creation of the Graduate Behavioral Health Scholarship Fund, which will be financed through appropriations, gifts, and other sources.

The bill includes provisions for the administration of the scholarship program, including eligibility criteria, scholarship duration, and termination conditions. It mandates the department to report annually on the status of the scholarship fund and the number of students benefiting from the program. An appropriation of $10 million from the general fund is allocated for the scholarship fund for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, with a portion designated for the administration of the program. The act emphasizes the importance of supporting the development of behavioral health professionals in New Mexico to address the growing need for such services in the state.