The bill amends the Adoption Act in New Mexico to streamline the adoption process specifically for children who have been prenatally abandoned. It introduces a new definition of "prenatal abandonment," which occurs when an acknowledged or alleged father fails to provide reasonable support to the mother and child during pregnancy, either by not maintaining contact or by not offering financial or emotional support for at least sixty days. Additionally, it specifies that prenatal abandonment can also be established if the father is convicted of domestic violence against the mother during her pregnancy.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the criteria for the termination of parental rights, stating that prenatal abandonment by an acknowledged or alleged father, once identified as the biological father through genetic testing, will be considered a form of abandonment. It also clarifies that consent for adoption is not required from an acknowledged or alleged father who has prenatally abandoned the child. These changes aim to facilitate a more efficient adoption process for children affected by prenatal abandonment, ensuring their welfare and expediting their placement in adoptive homes.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 32A-5-3, 32A-5-15, 32A-5-19