The bill amends Section 32A-3B-2 of the New Mexico Statutes to provide a clearer definition of a "family in need of court-ordered services." It specifies that such a family may be identified when they refuse or fail to engage with family services, or when the Children, Youth and Families Department has exhausted available services and court intervention is deemed necessary. The bill outlines specific circumstances under which a family may be classified as needing court-ordered services, including excessive school absences, a child's unauthorized absence from home, and situations involving potential neglect or human trafficking.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that addresses cases where allegations of child abuse or neglect have been substantiated by the department, yet it has been determined that court intervention is necessary to ensure the child's safety and well-being, or to facilitate access to services for the family. This provision emphasizes the importance of court intervention in cases where the department believes that filing an abuse or neglect petition is not in the child's best interest, thereby enhancing the legal framework for protecting children and supporting families in need.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 32A-3B-2