Senate Memorial 16 requests the New Mexico Higher Education Department to establish a task force aimed at studying and developing recommendations for collecting data on parenting students within the state's higher education system. The bill highlights the unique challenges faced by parenting students, who represent a significant portion of the college population, and emphasizes the need for standardized methods to identify these students and address their barriers to educational success. The task force will consist of representatives from various educational institutions, parenting students, and relevant advisory groups.

The task force is tasked with preparing a report that defines "parenting student" and assesses the current state of data collection regarding these students. It will also provide recommendations for implementing consistent data collection practices across higher education institutions, including suggested methods for regularly assessing parenting status throughout students' enrollment. The findings and recommendations are to be presented to the legislative health and human services committee and other relevant legislative committees by November 1, 2026.