The proposed legislation establishes the Child Safety and Welfare Services Authority as an independent state agency, taking over the responsibilities previously held by the Children, Youth and Families Department in managing child welfare and juvenile justice programs. Governed by a board of regents appointed by the governor, the Authority will collaborate with various state and local entities to create a comprehensive system for child safety and welfare. The bill outlines the Authority's powers, including the appointment of a state superintendent to oversee operations and ensure compliance with relevant laws. It also mandates criminal history checks for applicants and prohibits individuals with substantiated allegations of child abuse or neglect from working in positions with direct client contact.

Additionally, the bill introduces several new provisions to the Children's Code, including the creation of a child safety and welfare services advisory committee and a juvenile continuum grant fund to support juvenile justice services. It establishes the New Mexico domestic violence leadership commission to address domestic violence issues and amends existing laws to facilitate the transition to the new Authority. The bill also updates definitions and procedures related to child welfare, clarifying the roles of various facilities and services, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to enhance the welfare of children and families in New Mexico. Key amendments include the specification that payments from the domestic violence offender treatment fund will now be drawn by the state superintendent of child safety and welfare services, and the expansion of criminal history checks to include relatives and fictive kin of children in custody.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-22-11.1, 30-22-11.2, 31-12-12, 32A-1-4, 32A-15-3, 32A-22-2, 32A-26-11, 40-7A-3, 40-10B-3, 32A-19-1