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 overseeing child welfare and juvenile justice programs. Governed by a board of regents appointed by the governor, the Authority will include members with relevant expertise, such as judges and social workers. The bill outlines the Authority's objectives, which include creating a comprehensive child safety system, developing service standards, and implementing prevention strategies. Additionally, it introduces new provisions for the employment of individuals within the Authority, mandating criminal history checks and prohibiting those with substantiated allegations of child abuse from working in positions with direct client contact.

The legislation also amends existing laws to replace references to the "children, youth and families department" with the "child safety and welfare services authority," thereby updating the legal framework for juvenile detention and escape offenses. It establishes a domestic violence offender treatment fund and outlines eligibility criteria for treatment programs, ensuring that funds do not revert to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. The bill introduces new definitions within the Children's Code, expands the scope of criminal history checks, and emphasizes confidentiality regarding criminal records. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the safety and welfare of children while improving the structure and accountability of domestic violence intervention programs in New Mexico.

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