SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would fund the creation of a centralized pregnancy and parenting resource website and hotline aimed at helping expectant mothers and new parents navigate existing support services.
House Bill 157, sponsored by Reps. Jenifer Jones and Rebecca Dow, would appropriate $100,000 from the state’s general fund to the Department of Health to develop the online portal and phone line during fiscal year 2027. Any unspent funds would revert to the state at the end of the fiscal year.
The proposal is designed to provide a single, centralized location where families can find information about services that already exist, including social services, financial assistance programs, adoption services, pregnancy and parenting guidance, planning tools, care centers, and other public and private resources.
Supporters say the bill responds to a common challenge faced by families during pregnancy and early parenthood: knowing where to turn for help. While multiple programs and organizations operate across the state, the information is often scattered among different agencies and providers.
Under the legislation, the Department of Health would be responsible for developing and maintaining the website and hotline. The bill does not authorize the creation of new social programs or require families or health care providers to participate. Instead, it focuses on organizing and presenting factual, resource-based information in a way that is accessible and easy to navigate.
The bill would create a one-time investment, emphasizing that the proposal does not create ongoing costs for the state. By helping families access assistance earlier, proponents argue the effort could reduce the likelihood of more expensive, crisis-driven interventions later.
Similar resource hubs exist in other states and are often framed as tools to improve coordination among service providers. In New Mexico, advocates say the lack of a single, authoritative source of information can leave families overwhelmed during a time when they are already facing medical, financial, and emotional pressures.
Critics have raised questions about whether the proposal duplicates existing efforts or represents unnecessary spending. Supporters counter that the bill does not duplicate services themselves, but rather improves access by organizing information that is currently fragmented across multiple platforms.
House Bill 157 is scheduled for consideration during this legislative session. If approved, development of the website and hotline would take place in fiscal year 2027, with oversight remaining within the Department of Health.
