The bill enacts the Revised Uniform Parentage Act in New Mexico, which modernizes the legal framework surrounding parentage, assisted reproduction, and surrogacy agreements. It introduces new definitions and provisions that clarify the establishment of parent-child relationships through various means, including birth, presumption, and acknowledgment, while emphasizing that these relationships are recognized regardless of the parent's marital status. The act also outlines the legal processes for acknowledging or denying parentage, establishes court jurisdiction over related actions, and mandates the application of New Mexico law in adjudicating parentage. Additionally, it includes provisions for data privacy, specifies that no fees will be charged for filing acknowledgments or denials of parentage, and allows for the rescission of such acknowledgments or denials through judicial proceedings within specified timeframes.

Furthermore, the bill addresses genetic testing procedures, the rights and responsibilities of parties involved in surrogacy agreements, and updates definitions related to custody and visitation. It establishes clear requirements for gestational and genetic surrogacy, including medical evaluations and independent legal representation for surrogates, while ensuring intended parents are recognized as legal parents upon birth. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality in surrogacy agreements and outlines the conditions under which joint custody is presumed to be in the best interests of the child. Overall, the bill aims to streamline and clarify the legal processes surrounding parentage, reproductive rights, and custody arrangements in New Mexico, with an effective date set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24-14-13, 24-14-16, 32A-5-20, 40-4-9.1, 40-4-20, 40-9-2, 40-10B-3, 45-1-301