New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 19 / October 16, 2018

Notice of proposed rulemaking

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED or department) will hold a public rulemaking hearing on November 16, 2018. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be held at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The purpose of the rulemaking hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed amendments to 5.7.2 NMAC, NEW MEXICO HEALTH PROFESSIONS: STUDENT LOAN-FOR-SERVICE ACTS.

Amendments:

5.7.2.6 NMAC, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

5.7.2.7 NMAC, definitions

Purpose:

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify definitions of eligible health professions and eligible institutions for the Medical Loan-For-Service Program and Osteopathic Medical Loan-For-Service Program. The proposed amendments are based upon changes that were made to the programs through the enactment of H.B.126, 53rd Leg., 1st Sess. (N.M. 2017). The Medical Loan-For-Service Program was modified to statutorily add Osteopathic Physicians and Osteopathic Physician Assistants as eligible professions. Additionally, preference in awarding Medical Student Loan-For-Service Program funds was expanded to students attending any accredited New Mexico medical school.

Summary of proposed changes:

The amendment to Section 5.7.2.6 NMAC is a non-substantive change to comply with the Legislative Style Manual.

Amendments to Section 5.7.2.7 modify definitions of “eligible health profession” and “eligible institution” for the Medical Loan-For-Service Program. The definition of “eligible health profession” is modified to include Osteopathic Physicians and Osteopathic Physician Assistants. The definition of “eligible institution” is amended to eliminate the requirement that the institution be public. The definition of “eligible institution” is amended to allow preference in awards be made to students attending any accredited New Mexico medical school.

Additionally, amendments to 5.7.2.7 modify definitions of “eligible health profession” and “eligible institution” for the Osteopathic Medical Loan-For-Service Program. The terminology in the definition of “eligible health profession” is updated. The definition of “eligible institution” is amended to allow awards be made to students attending any accredited program of osteopathic education in the United States.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: The proposed rule is available at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100. The proposed rule is also posted on the NMHED website and may be accessed at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/ under the “Events” section. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us or (505)476-8411.

A public hearing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at NMHED on November 16, 2018. Any person who is or may be affected by this proposed rule may appear and testify. Interested persons may submit written comments to NMHED at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 15, 2018. Please note that any written comments received will become part of the rulemaking record, be posted to the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, and be accessible to the public. If submitting written comments by email, please indicate in the subject line the number and section of each rule(s) for which you are providing comments. Oral comments will also be accepted at the rule hearing, subject to time limitations.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in Section 9-25-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, Section 21-1-26 NMSA 1978, Section 21-22-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, 21-22A-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, 21-22B-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, and 21-22C-1 et seq. NMSA 1978.

Any person with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact (505) 476-8411 or email HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.