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Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 09:33:04 AM MDT

Subject: New Mexico Becomes First State to Offer Free Universal Child Care

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NCSL Today

An NCSL news roundup of resources, tailored for state legislatures.

Sept. 10, 2025

In today's edition: New Mexico will become the first state to offer free child care to every family. State legislators met with a U.S. House working group to discuss privacy issues. And, big changes are coming to the college sports landscape.

TOP OF THE DOME

New Mexico Becomes First State to Offer Free Universal Child Care

New Mexico will entirely remove the income eligibility threshold for a family to receive child care assistance by Nov. 1. The state currently waives parent copays on child care for families whose income is up to 400% of the federal poverty level. The change will save families an estimated $12,000 per year, according to the governor's office. A session at NCSL's Legislative Summit looked at ways to grow the economy by making child care more affordable.

► NCSL: Make Child Care Affordable and Watch the Economy Grow

► NCSL: Federal Funding Streams for Child Care and Early Childhood Education

► NCSL: Early Childhood Legislation Database

► SourceNM: New Mexico governor announces free universal child care

NCSL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Capitol to Capitol: State Legislators Meet With US House Privacy Work Group

The legislators noted that across the country, state-level privacy protections have increasingly aligned around core principles, creating a more consistent framework for both consumers and businesses, and helping to counter the tech industry’s claims that a confusing patchwork of laws makes compliance difficult.

► Read the latest edition of Capitol to Capitol

College Athletics Faces Uncertainty Amid NIL Policy Changes

College athletics is undergoing a seismic shift. After years of lawsuits, state laws and NCAA rule changes, a $3 billion settlement, effective July 1, has transformed how student-athletes are compensated. Yet the future remains uncertain amid ongoing legal and legislative battles.

► Read about college sports changes

State Actions Addressing the Non-Medical Drivers of Maternal Mortality

States are examining a range of policy options to increase access to both health care and concrete supports that can affect maternal health.

► Read about maternal mortality

Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits Are Not Optional—Implications of HR1

Join us for this discussion about the importance of Medicaid adult dental coverage to overall health, impacts of HR1 on the states, and strategies from the states to strengthen and protect vital benefits. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3-4 p.m. ET.

► Register now

LEGISLATIVE LOWDOWN

The Latest Headlines From Around the States

► Missouri Redistricting | Missouri Republicans advance Trump-backed plan to redraw US House districts (Associated Press)

► Mobile ID | Montana rolls out mobile ID program (Daily Montanan)

► Homeschooling | Homeschooling in Ohio is seeing another recent surge after spiking during the pandemic (Ohio Capital Journal)

► Health Funding Cuts | In the fallout from Trump's health funding cuts, states face tough budget decisions (CBS News)

► Marijuana Regulation | Texas governor expected to issue executive order setting age requirements for THC-products, other restrictions (The Texas Tribune)

► Voter ID | North Carolina voter ID and tax cap amendments are enforceable, judges rule (Associated Press)

► Kansas Milo Crop | Kansas milo crop ‘tremendous’—but low prices, disappearing markets jeopardize sales (Kansas Reflector)

NCSL does not necessarily endorse the content or views expressed in these news reports.

New NCSL Coffee Table Book Features Nation's Capitols

NCSL celebrates its 50th anniversary with a visual exploration of the architectural splendor and historical significance of state capitol buildings across the United States and its territories.

► Buy your copy today!