Committee backs three-year pilot providing monthly stipends for foster youth and formerly incarcerated students

The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 404, a three-year pilot program providing monthly monetary stipends to two groups of vulnerable postsecondary students: youth who have aged out of foster care and formerly incarcerated individuals enrolled in postsecondary education or workforce training.

Sponsor Representative Dela Cruz said the stipend would cover basic costs such as housing, food, transportation and childcare while an eligible participant pursues education or training. Supporters including CNM Community College, Bold Futures New Mexico, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and New Mexico CAN testified the stipend would promote economic self-sufficiency, higher completion rates and better employment outcomes. Marla Schoetz of CNM told the committee the pilot would be a "lifeline" for students facing housing insecurity and economic instability.

Committee members asked about the expected number of participants and the age cap; the sponsor said national estimates exist but no local enrollment figure was provided at the hearing. The bill uses an age cap of under 26, which the sponsor said was a drafter recommendation to capture people aging out of care while remaining young enough to likely take advantage of education and training opportunities.

Representative Anaya moved and Representative Kates seconded a motion to advance the bill; the committee recorded a do pass and announced the result as 8-0. Sponsors said the bill requires data collection and evaluation and that program administration details (agency responsible, application access) will need further specification to ensure accessibility for the populations targeted.