SB 189 set for a Senate hearing on Sunday

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority is urging lawmakers to support Senate Bill 189, a measure that would expand pathways to work readiness for individuals receiving public assistance and provide access to services for an additional 15,000 New Mexicans.

SB 189, sponsored by Sens. Liz Stefanics, Linda M. Trujillo, Carrie Hamblen and Rep. Linda Serrato, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Room at the311 Roundhouse.

“Right now, too many families face a cliff when they try to improve their financial situation—losing essential support before they’re truly stable,” Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo said. “SB 189 creates a ramp instead of a cliff, ensuring that families can gradually build financial independence without being penalized for taking steps forward.”

SB 189 would eliminate outdated asset limits, which currently restrict participants in the cash assistance program to just $3,500 in savings, making it difficult for families to transition off cash assistance without facing financial instability. The bill expands access to work-readiness education by allowing participants in the Education Works Program to pursue high school diplomas and vocational certificates, rather than limiting them to two- or four-year college degrees.

Under the current New Mexico Works Act, families receiving assistance face strict sanctions that can result in case closure and a six-month ‘lockout period’ for children if parents fail to comply within 30 days. SB 189 would remove these punitive measures, ensuring children are not penalized for their parents’ hardships.

“This legislation is about breaking cycles of poverty, not reinforcing them,” Sen. Liz Stefanics, one of the bill’s sponsors said. “By removing unnecessary barriers and modernizing our assistance programs, we can provide families with the tools they need to succeed rather than penalizing them for struggling.”

If passed, SB 189 will:

  • End punitive sanctions that penalize children and impose harsh case closures.
  • Eliminate restrictive asset limits, allowing families to save for emergencies and long-term economic stability.
  • Expand education options, permitting program participants to pursue high school diplomas and certificates alongside college degrees.
  • Streamline assistance programs to ensure timely support for applicants.

“Families deserve real opportunities for financial stability, which is a critical foundation for healthy child development,” said Paige Knight, Deputy Policy Director at New Mexico Voices for Children. “SB 189 removes outdated barriers so parents can save, pursue education, and build economic security without fear of losing support.”

SB 189 aims to serve as a pathway to self-sufficiency, ensuring public assistance programs help individuals and families build a more secure future.

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