The proposed legislation enacts the Special Education Act, which establishes the Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department and appoints a Deputy Secretary of Special Education to oversee its operations. The office is tasked with ensuring that students with disabilities receive equitable educational opportunities, verifying compliance with federal education laws, and developing a uniform online system for individualized education programs. Additionally, the act includes provisions for the screening of first-grade students for dyslexia and mandates that appropriate interventions be provided for those identified as having characteristics of dyslexia.

Significant changes include the removal of gifted students from the special education category and the reorganization of existing special education statutes into the new Special Education Act. The bill also repeals Section 22-13-6 NMSA 1978, which previously addressed aspects of special education, and introduces new definitions and responsibilities related to special education services. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-13-6
Final Version: 22-13-6