On Nov. 1, New Mexico became the first U.S. state to offer free universal child care to all residents. The state aims to boost its economy and lift education and child welfare levels, which are ranked worst in the country, Reuters reported.

Through the program, New Mexicans, regardless of income, can receive state vouchers to cover public and private child-care fees. This amounts to an average annual family savings of US$12,000 per child. The program fulfills what began when the state government created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019.

“New Mexico is creating the conditions for better outcomes in health, learning, and well-being,” said Neal Halfon, professor of pediatrics, public health and public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, and director of the Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities. “Its approach is rooted in data, driven by communities, and becoming a model for the nation.”

 “Achieving universal child care will make a huge difference for the state’s children, families, businesses, and educators—and for all of us, by showing that it can be done,” said Michelle Kang, president and CEO of the National Association of the Education of Young Children.

The free childcare program comes as other states, cities, and counties look at similar programs popular among working families. In September, Connecticut passed a bill making childcare free for those families earning under US$100,000 per year and no more than 7% of income for those earning more. State leaders said the program will benefit about 1,500 families starting this month. Reuters also reported that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed no-cost universal child care.

The ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 18. The NDAA, a bill passed annually by Congress and signed by the President, includes a provision that directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense to develop and implement guidelines for the remediation of mold in military housing, facilities, and other properties. The guidelines must be consistent with industry standards, including the S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.

Requirement to establish common mold remediation guidelines must be completed within 180 days after enactment of the NDAA and submitted to Secretary of Defense, Secretaries of the Military Departments, House Armed Services Committee, and Senate Armed Services Committee.

The guidelines required shall be consistent with:

1. Applicable municipal and state health and environmental standards, including state licensing for assessors and remediators.
2. Third-party industry standards, for example IICRC S520, including assessments performed both before and after remediation by independent third parties.

“This is a major step forward in protecting the health and safety of U.S. service members and their families,” said James Tole, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) president and board chair. “By citing the S520 Standard in federal law, Congress has reinforced the importance of industry-drive, consensus-based standards.” 

ISSA and the National Organization of Remediators & Microbial Inspectors (NORMI) worked with IICRC to advocate for the inclusion of the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard in the 2026 NDAA.

“We are very grateful to Rep. Jack Bergman and the coalition of stakeholders who advocated for the inclusion of the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard,” said Robbie Bradshaw, IICRC director of government relations. “We have been working a long time on the issue of mold in military housing, and we believe this provision will help to ensure that our service members and their families can live and work in safe, healthy environments.”

Additionally, the 2026 NDAA aims to accelerate and reduce procedural barriers for nontraditional defense contractors or other entities that have not previously performed under a defense department contract or subcontract.