New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed universal child care into law, making New Mexico the first state in the nation to do so. The law removes local zoning and homeowner association barriers to child care expansion in the state. It guarantees families across New Mexico free child care regardless of income. Since the program's launch on Nov. 1, 2025, an additional 12,666 families and 16,706 children have already enrolled and 63 new child care providers have registered for business in New Mexico. Not all families will qualify for the child care program, but each parent must meet certain criteria such as full-time student, enrolled in at least 12 credit hours at an accredited educational institution, working, in school, or in job training to qualify for assistance.