SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health has enacted emergency rules governing the licensure and regulation of boarding homes that residentially house individuals discharged from mental or behavioral health care institutions. 

These rules are effective as of December 5, 2019, and were promulgated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those currently residing in boarding homes. Any boarding home falling within the scope of these emergency rules must apply for a license within 30 days and meet basic health and safety requirements. 

“These emergency rules are absolutely necessary to address the immediate risks to life and safety experienced by certain residents of boarding homes in New Mexico,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel.

A copy of the emergency boarding home rules can be found at the following link: https://nmhealth.org/about/asd/cmo/rules/. 

A permanent boarding home rule will be proposed and noticed to the public in February 2020. The public will have the opportunity to submit comments on the permanent rule at a public hearing to be scheduled in March 2020.