The proposed New Mexico Child Safety and Welfare Act aims to enhance child welfare services by amending various sections of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA) 1978. Key provisions include the requirement for the Children, Youth and Families Department to use state-issued electronic devices for departmental duties, ensuring the backup and retention of electronic records, and transferring the administration of a program under the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Health Care Authority. The bill also mandates the implementation of a multilevel response system statewide, the development of a strategic plan for foster care prevention services, and the establishment of guidelines for sharing information related to child abuse and neglect.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for hospitals and birthing centers regarding the collection and reporting of data related to substance-exposed children and the development of plans of safe care. It emphasizes the need for care coordinators in birthing hospitals and mandates training for hospital staff on screening and intervention for substance use disorders. The bill clarifies that reports made under this framework will not be considered child abuse reports, protecting families from unnecessary investigations. It also establishes a framework for identifying agencies that can provide support services, outlines confidentiality provisions, and mandates the department to release specific information about child fatalities or near fatalities due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect within five business days upon written request. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the coordination and effectiveness of child welfare services in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-2, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-3
JU substitute: 9-2A-8, 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-2, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-2, 32A-4-3, 32A-4-4.1, 32A-4-21, 32A-4-33, 32A-4-33.1
RU substitute: 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-3
Final Version: 9-2A-8, 32A-1-4, 32A-3A-2, 32A-3A-13, 32A-3A-14, 32A-4-2, 32A-4-3, 32A-4-4.1, 32A-4-21, 32A-4-33, 32A-4-33.1