ECECD 2026 Legislative Session Mailer - Feb. 11, 2026
Priority Bills Status, Send a Valentine to Your Legislators, Join ECECD Saturday, plus more!
View this email in your browser
ECECD 2026 Legislative Session Mailer - February 11, 2026
This mailer is focused on early childhood legislative priorities and is intended to help families, early childhood professionals, and community partners stay informed about key policy areas, resources, and opportunities to engage throughout the session.
KEY DATES
Feb 14: Early Childhood Day
Feb 19: Session ends
SB241 – Child Care Assistance Program Act
SB241 codifies New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program in state law, strengthening the long-term sustainability, transparency, and accountability of Universal Child Care. The bill establishes clear eligibility guidelines, protects funding through fiscal guardrails, and enhances oversight through annual reporting requirements. By anchoring reimbursement rates in a cost model and reinforcing quality standards, SB241 supports families, strengthens the workforce, and ensures continued investment in a high-quality early childhood system.
Click here to read the full one-pager.
ECECD Priority Bills – Current Status | February 11, 2026
SB241 – Child Care Assistance Program Act
February 10 : SFC substitute passed Senate Finance Committee, 7–3.
Next step : Senate Floor consideration (not yet scheduled).
SB96 – Regulated Child Care Zoning Requirements
February 11: The bill was heard on the Senate Floor and passed with a vote of 25–13.
Next step : SB96 now advances to the House of Representatives.
HB2 – General Appropriations Act (FY27 Executive Budget)
February 4: Passed House Floor, 55–15.
Current status: In Senate Finance Committee.
SB170 – Child Care Facility Donation Tax Credit :
The child care facility donation income tax credit and the child care facility donation corporate income tax credit were incorporated into the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee Substitute for SB 151 Corporate Income Tax Changes , which advanced out of the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee on February 7, 2026.
Current status: In Senate Finance Committee.
You’re Invited to Celebrate Early Childhood at the Roundhouse
Saturday, February 14 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | New Mexico State Capitol
Early Childhood Day at the Roundhouse is almost here! Join families, early childhood educators, and community partners for a lively day at the Capitol — filled with performances, hands-on activities, story circles, and opportunities to connect around what’s working for New Mexico’s families with young children.
This year’s theme, “When Child Care Works, New Mexico Works,” spotlights Universal Child Care as essential infrastructure for our state — strengthening child development, supporting employers and working families, and helping all communities thrive.
Throughout the day, come to:
Explore information on Universal Child Care and other early childhood programs and supports
Meet families, providers, and advocates from across New Mexico
Discover resources, activities, and ways to get involved — and celebrate the impact of early childhood programs on New Mexico’s future
Participating Organizations Include:
Alax the Care Ambassador Photobooth, Sponsored by the LANL Foundation
CNM Ingenuity
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Early Childhood Center of Excellence
Explora Children's Museum
Family Infant Toddler Interagency Coordinating Council
Growing Up New Mexico
Lakeshore
New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health
New Mexico Child Support Services Division
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
New Mexico Voices for Children
Partnership for Community in Action
Project ECHO, on behalf of the ECECD Annual Family Engagement and Satisfaction Survey
Reflection Sciences
UNM Early Childhood Services Center
UNM Family Development Program
Program | 10:30–11:45 a.m. | Roundhouse Rotunda
Join us at 10:30 a.m. in the Roundhouse Rotunda for a celebratory program featuring performances by the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Youth Dance Group and the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra: Santa Fe and Los Alamos Children’s Choirs, perspectives from providers and families on New Mexico’s early childhood investments, and remarks from Dr. Joannie M. Suina, ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, and other state leaders.
Capitol Visitors Parking Lot (Free)
Located just north of the building.
Free parking is available but fills up quickly during events.
Best option if you arrive early.
Explore Two New ECECD Provider Platforms
Room 303 | Floor 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year, Early Childhood Day expands beyond the Rotunda. Join us to explore two of ECECD’s new online platforms designed for providers and early childhood professionals.
These systems modernize and streamline formerly paper-based processes, making it easier to apply, submit updates, and manage required documentation.
Live demonstrations will be offered every 30 minutes, with staff available for one-on-one support to help you create an account and navigate each system.
New Mexico Provider Licensing Portal
The New Mexico Child Care Licensing Platform replaces paper-based licensing processes with a secure online system. This free tool supports new and current providers with applications, amendments, and background checks, eliminating the need to submit paper documents. Demonstrations will feature Licensed Child Care Center and Out-of-School Time applications. Registered and Licensed Home applications will be available online soon.
Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
PDIS is a free online platform that helps early childhood employers and professionals track education, credentials, required trainings, and wages in one place. By moving records online, PDIS streamlines workforce management and eliminates paper files.
Click here to reserve a seat and request accommodations
ECECD’s Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky made her first appearance on The Santa Fe New Mexican's Around…