NM Senate passes Nurse Licensure Compact bill
For Immediate Release: January 17, 2018
(Santa Fe, NM) Today the New Mexico Senate passed SB1, the Nurse Licensure Compact, on a bipartisan vote of 39-0. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
By Thursday it is expected that both chambers will accept and sign the bill to send to the Governor’s office for her signature.
New Mexico has been a member of the existing compact since 2004, but the agreement that allows qualified nurses to practice in other compact states has been updated, requiring that states pass legislation to adopt the new, or “enhanced,” compact in order to maintain reciprocity status with those who have entered into the new agreement. In order for New Mexico nurses to be grandfathered in to the eNLC, the bill must be signed by the Governor by the end of this week.
The enactment of the compact will allow registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or via telehealth in both their home state and other eNLC states.
Today is New Mexico Nurses Association Day at the Legislature. Over 400 nurses from throughout the state gathered in support of SB1.
STATEMENTS:
“Today was a victory for nurses around New Mexico, and I hope it shows them how much we value and appreciate everything they do. They represent the heartbeat of our healthcare system, and this system would not work without them.”
Senator Howie Morales, bill co-sponsor
“I would like to thank Senators Kernan, Ingle, and Morales for their efforts in getting this bill through the Senate so expeditiously. There’s work yet to be done but this was an important step forward for the nursing community we so value.”
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth
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