This bill amends the Public School Finance Act and renames the Statewide Cyber Academy Act to the "Distance Learning Act." It mandates that school districts and charter schools report estimates of students enrolled in distance learning programs and maintain specific records for these students. Notably, the membership of students in distance learning programs will be excluded from calculations for size adjustment program units. The bill introduces new definitions, including "distance learning student" and "full-time distance learning program," and establishes requirements for the approval and administration of these programs by the Public Education Department.

Additionally, the bill imposes restrictions on enrollment in full-time distance learning programs, particularly for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, unless certain conditions are met. It limits the percentage of students that can be enrolled in these programs within a district or charter school and emphasizes the need for accessible instructional materials for students with disabilities. The bill also includes a repeal of Section 22-30-8 NMSA 1978, which pertains to previous laws regarding educational programs. The provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, but the bill declares an emergency for immediate implementation to ensure public peace, health, and safety.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-8-2, 22-8-12.1, 22-8-13, 22-30-1, 22-30-2, 22-30-3, 22-30-4, 22-30-5, 22-30-6, 22-30-7, 22-30-8