Summary:

 House Bill 297 (HB 297) relating to school personnel provides for a licensure endorsement in computer science for all grades. HB 297 makes an appropriation. 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 297 provides a licensure endorsement in computer science.
SECTION 1 amends Public Schools in Educational Requirements for Licensure to provide a licensure endorsement in computer science for all grades. Subsection F is amended as follows:
F. Teachers seeking to add an endorsement for computer science on a valid license shall demonstrate sufficient content knowledge in computer science. The department shall consult with computer science education experts when developing computer science endorsement requirements. 
The endorsement requires the teacher to have the credits and experience with references specified in this subsection, including:
- earned 15 post-secondary course credits in computer science; 
- passed the department-approved teacher licensure examination for computer science; 
- a minimum of two years of work experience in an industry related to computer science; 
-  an industry certification in a field related to computer science
-  completed 60 hours of professional development within the three years immediately prior to applying for a computer science endorsement; or 
- three or more years of computer science teaching experience as specified in this subsection.
SECTION 2 makes an appropriation of $250,000 from the General Fund to the Public Education Department for expenditure in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 for professional development for teachers who want a computer science endorsement or want to maintain the endorsement. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2027 shall revert to the General Fund. 

Current Law:

 House Bill 297 Section 22-10A-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1986, Chapter 33, Section 8, as amended) currently references a computer license with limited details about what that entails. 

Amendments:

 House Bill 297 is amended by the House Eduction Committee as follows: 
In Section 1, of Educational Requirements for Licensure, Subsection F is revised as follows:
The endorsement requires the teacher to have “earned, passed or completed, as applicable, at least one of the following”: 
Paragraphs (1), (2) and (5) have deleted “earned”, “passed” or “completed”.