Committee advances small appropriation to update newborn abusive head‑trauma education

Representative Thompson presented HB97 to fund updates to the state's newborn abusive head-trauma (formerly 'shaken baby') prevention materials and replacement training mannequins used in hospital and birthing-center education for new parents. Testimony from the New Mexico Injury and Violence Prevention Coalition and nursing representatives stressed that materials have not been updated since 2016 and that current training props degrade over time, reducing program effectiveness.

Witnesses described the program's role in statutory newborn education and cited studies showing prior gaps in parental awareness before the program's adoption. Committee members asked about program scope and volunteer/delivery mechanisms; the committee moved a due pass. Sponsors said the appropriation is a modest investment to maintain the statutory program and its life‑saving education.