The bill amends the Adoption Act in New Mexico to streamline the adoption process specifically for children who are 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 a conviction for domestic violence against the mother during her pregnancy also constitutes prenatal abandonment.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the conditions under which parental rights can be terminated, emphasizing that prenatal abandonment by an acknowledged or alleged father, once identified through genetic testing, will be considered a form of abandonment. It also expands the list of individuals whose consent for adoption is not required, including those who have prenatally abandoned the child. These changes aim to facilitate a more efficient adoption process for children affected by prenatal abandonment, ensuring their welfare is prioritized.

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