House extends state vaccine‑purchasing authority but rejects floor amendment to mandate parental‑notification on exemptions

The New Mexico House voted to remove the sunset on statutory authority allowing the Department of Health to continue its state vaccine‑purchasing program. House Bill 156, as amended on the floor, passed final passage by a recorded vote of 51 AYE, 14 NAY.

The sponsor described the bill as a narrow extension of authority so DOH can continue to acquire vaccines on behalf of state immunization programs; the floor adopted a friendly amendment that clarifies that DOH — not external groups — will lead in developing operational guidance. Lawmakers stressed the bill does not change existing school immunization exemptions; during committee and on the floor members debated transparency in how parents learn about exemption routes.

One floor amendment that would have required schools and licensed childcare providers to include explicit on‑form notice to parents about available exemption options was proposed and then tabled after debate about whether the change was outside the bill’s narrow statutory scope. Supporters of the amendment argued parents need clearer, routine notification; opponents and the sponsor said the Department of Health website already lists exemptions and that the proposed language would import unrelated procedural requirements into a narrowly focused statutory fix.

House supporters said the bill protects access to vaccines for providers and insurers that expect recommended vaccines to be on official lists; opponents argued for clearer parental outreach and better local notification practices. With the vote concluded, the bill moves forward for final enrollment and whatever executive action follows.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 156 — Final passage, 51 AYE, 14 NAY.

The bill as passed preserves DOH authority while leaving day‑to‑day parental notification and school exemption practice to agency guidance and local districts.