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. Its primary goals include improving the lives of children by connecting caregivers to economic support programs and providing access to necessary services and referrals. The bill outlines specific definitions for terms such as "fictive kin," "grandparent," and "participant," and emphasizes collaboration with community organizations and program partners.

To implement the pilot program, the department is tasked with developing eligibility criteria based on household income and the needs of the children being cared for. The bill also mandates the establishment of processes for administering the program, coordinating access to various support services, and engaging with other organizations for additional resources. Furthermore, it requires the department to create a budget for staffing, legal assistance, and other administrative costs, and to report on the program's impact and outcomes annually. The bill declares an emergency, necessitating immediate effect for the program's implementation.