New Mexico State Senator Jay Block has expressed concerns regarding the House Bill 11 substitute, a piece of legislation designed to provide paid family and medical leave. Block said that the bill "will take small businesses out, causing lost jobs, a downturn in revenues, and a lack of investment in our state." He made this statement on the social media platform X on February 20.

"Not good," said Block. "This will take small businesses out, causing lost jobs, a downturn in revenues, and a lack of investment in our state. This bill must not pass."

According to Sen. Block's post, his comments were in response to a February 19 statement from State Representative John Block (R-51). Rep. Block announced the passage of what he described as the "horrific and evil" paid family and medical leave act’s committee substitute bill out of the New Mexico House Commerce Committee. He noted that it passed with a narrow 6-5 vote, marking its final committee approval. Representatives Armstrong, J.N. Hernandez, Mason, Matthews, and Murphy voted against the bill, while De La Cruz, Lente, Parajon, Serrato, Anyanonu, and Gallegos supported it.

Screenshot of State Senator Jay Block's Feb. 20 post on X. | X

The committee substitute for House Bill 11 introduces the Welcome Child and Family Wellness Leave Act and establishes the Family Wellness Leave Fund. This fund is intended to provide eligible applicants with a percentage of their wages for family wellness leave. Additionally, it creates the Welcome Child Fund to offer refunds to eligible applicants upon the birth or adoption of a child. The bill outlines that from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030, employers with five or more employees would contribute 0.15% of each participating employee’s wages up to an earnings cap. In 2030, this contribution would increase to cover 100% of each participating employee’s wages up to the earnings cap.

House Bill 11 was sponsored by Representatives Christine Chandler, Mimi Stewart, Linda Serrato, Patricia Roybal Caballero, and Javier Martinez. On February 20th, according to legislative actions lists from the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee reported that while they recommended against passing House Bill 11 itself but advised proceeding with its committee substitute.

Jay Block is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and former Sandoval County commissioner who was elected as the Republican senator for District 12 in 2024 after succeeding retired Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino. His campaign emphasized limited government economic reform along with veterans' issues; during his tenure as County Commissioner he notably sponsored passed Second Amendment resolution declaring Sandoval County as "2A Sanctuary County" playing significant role economic development initiatives per biography information available about him.