The proposed bill establishes the "Kinship Caregiver Support Pilot Program" within the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, aimed at supporting kinship caregivers—defined as grandparents, next-of-kin, or fictive kin who are raising children. The program will operate for three years across five to seven counties in New Mexico, serving fifty participants in each community. It seeks to improve the lives of children by connecting caregivers with economic support programs and other necessary services. The bill outlines specific eligibility criteria for participants, which will consider household income and the needs of the children being cared for.

Additionally, the bill mandates the department to collaborate with community organizations and program partners to develop processes for program administration, identify resources, and establish a budget for necessary expenses, including legal assistance for caregivers seeking custody or guardianship. The department is required to adopt rules for the program by June 1, 2025, and to report on the program's impact and outcomes annually to the legislative finance committee starting December 1, 2025. An emergency clause is included, allowing the act to take effect immediately for the public's health and safety.