New Mexico Disappointingly Ends 2023-2024 Legislative Session Without Passing any New Legislation to benefit the Neurodiversity Community

New Mexico lawmakers during the final thirty day blitz prioritize special interests over families of neurodiverse New Mexicans who are being failed by their government.

The New Mexico Legislature ended its 30 day legislative session on February 15, 2024 without passing any substantive legislation benefiting the neurodiversity community in the Land of Enchantment.

A total of 18 bills relating to Autism and neurodiversity were introduced during the 2023-2024 Legislative session in New Mexico.  10 of the 18 bills passed according to a search of the New Mexico Legislature’s website. None of the 10 bills passed in the 2023-2024 session addressed very critical issues affecting the neurodiversity community in New Mexico. A non-partisan study by Autism Parenting Magazine has ranked New Mexico the 9th worst state in the United States to raise a child with Autism.  The same study found New Mexico ranked dead last out of all 50 states on insurance coverage for Autism.

Additionally, New Mexico lawmakers failed to pass legislation that would help neurodiverse New Mexicans by:

• Joining an interstate compact that would allow licensed psychologists in neighboring states to practice in New Mexico.  

• Improving insurance coverage for New Mexicans that need to see mental health specialists.

• Joining an interstate compact that would allow licensed professional counselors in neighboring states to practice in New Mexico.   

• Providing much needed relief for practicing therapists licensed in New Mexico under the gross receipts tax that kills economic activity,

The 2023-2024 legislative session showed that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico) and her counterparts in the Legislature prioritized special interest groups over doing what is right for neurodiverse New Mexicans.  Americans for Autism Advocacy will work in 2025 to hold elected officials in New Mexico accountable for their actions on the legislative floor along with the cabinet agencies.  The era of business as usual in Santa Fe must come to an end for the benefit of all neurodiverse New Mexicans.