New Mexico school drill law

What drills does New Mexico require, and how often?

New Mexico's statute requires an emergency drill in each public and private school at least once each week during the first four weeks of the school year. In those first four weeks, the drills must include one shelter-in-place drill that includes preparation to respond to an active shooter, one evacuation drill and two fire drills. During the rest of the school year, each school must hold at least four more emergency drills. The Public Education Department's rule says the same: emergency drills shall be conducted in each public and private school, and of the four later drills, at least two must be fire drills.

The drill rule (6.29.1.9(N) NMAC) names only shelter-in-place (with active shooter preparation), evacuation and fire drills. It sets no lockdown, weather, bus or reunification drill.

What does the fire code add?

The State Fire Marshal's rule adopts the International Fire Code, as revised by that rule, as the New Mexico Fire Code; the adopted edition is the 2021 edition. The fire code sets no separate drill count for schools: its changes make school buildings (Group E, the fire code's term for schools) follow the Public Education Department's drill rule for how often drills are held. Under the New Mexico Fire Code, a school's first evacuation drill of the year must be held within 10 days of the start of classes.

Do drills have to be logged?

Under the New Mexico Fire Code, schools must keep records of required evacuation drills, including who ran the drill, the date and time, and the notification method used. The Public Education Department's drill rule itself sets no drill log or certification; its compliance paragraph covers responsibility, corrective action and license penalties.

Do parents get notice, and are realistic drills limited?

The Public Education Department's drill rule sets no parent notice and no limits on realistic drills.

Do fire officials take part?

Where a fire department is maintained, a member of the fire department must be requested to attend the emergency drills, to give instruction and constructive criticism.

Who is responsible, and what if a school doesn't comply?

District superintendents, charter school administrators and their private school counterparts are responsible for making sure each school follows the drill rules. The statute directs the Public Education Department to set penalties for failing to meet the drill requirements. If a public school does not comply, the department may take corrective action, including reporting it to the state fire marshal or a local fire department. If a private school does not comply, the department will report it to the state fire marshal or a local fire department and may consider action against its license. Failing or refusing to hold the required drills is grounds to suspend or revoke the license of the person responsible.

What safety plan is required?

Each school building's safety plan must be submitted to the Public Education Department for approval every three years and must include a set of minimum parts.

Who's covered?

The drill duty covers public and private schools; the rule names charter school administrators among those responsible.

What has changed recently?

SB 147 (2019), signed as Chapter 158, amended the drill statute to add evacuation and active shooter drill requirements. The drill rule, 6.29.1.9 NMAC, was most recently amended effective January 28, 2025. That amendment did not change the drill subsection: subsection N reads word for word the same before and after it. Neither the 2025 nor the 2026 legislative session changed the drill statute, § 22-13-14.