The bill establishes a Secretary of Children, Youth and Families Nominating Committee responsible for providing a list of qualified nominees for the Secretary position, who will be appointed by the governor with Senate consent. It transfers rulemaking authority for the Plan of Safe Care process from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Health Care Authority, updates requirements for Plans of Safe Care, and mandates a statewide multilevel response system. The bill also enacts the Families First Act within the Children's Code, requiring a strategic plan for foster care prevention services that aligns with federal requirements.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the New Mexico Statutes, including the establishment of a "plan of safe care" for newborns affected by prenatal drug exposure, and outlines the responsibilities of care coordinators and hospital staff in implementing this plan. It introduces a multilevel response system for evaluating services for children and families involved in neglect or abuse cases, with a timeline for implementation by July 1, 2027. The bill also revises the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act to enhance oversight of children in substitute care, including the establishment of volunteer member participation and case review boards, and sets a temporary provision for transferring responsibilities to the state department of justice by July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 9-2A-3, 9-2A-6, 9-2A-8, 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-3, 32A-4-4.1, 32A-4-21, 32A-4-33, 32A-8-2, 32A-8-4
JC substitute: 9-2A-3, 9-2A-6, 9-2A-8, 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-3, 32A-4-4.1, 32A-4-21, 32A-4-33, 32A-8-2, 32A-8-4