Nursing Bill Sponsored by Rep. Doreen Gallegos Passes House ofRepresentatives

Santa Fe, NM - In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed House Bill 178, the Nursing Practice Changes Act, a significant step in modernizing nursing regulations and expanding healthcare access throughout the state.

Sponsored by Representative Doreen Gallegos, HB 178 aims to update and streamline nursing practices, addressing critical workforce shortages and engaging the ability of nurses to provide high-quality care. HB 178 clarifies the scope of practice for various types of registered nurse, expands the State Board of Nursing’s regulatory authority, and improves licensing processes.

“There are over 7,000 open nursing positions in the State of New Mexico, this will takes us a step forward in filling that gap” sawd lead sponsor Rep. Doreen Gallegos. “By empowering nurses and removing unnecessary barriers, we can better meet the growing healthcare demands of our state,” the Representative continued.

Rep. Gallegos has been a strong advocate for health care policy throughout her time in the legislature. In previous sessions, Rep. Gallegos has championed legislation aimed at improving quality and access to care in New Mexico such as the 2024 Health Care Delivery and Access Act. The passage of HB 178 reflects the Representative and her colleague’s commitment to healthcare innovation and support for frontline healthcare workers.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.