The bill amends the Public Service Law Loan Repayment Act by expanding the definition of "public service employment" to include the Office of Family Representation and Advocacy, allowing its employees to qualify for loan repayment benefits. It also adds the Director of this office to the Public Service Law Advisory Committee, which advises on the loan repayment program. Additionally, the bill introduces the Child and Family Welfare Worker Loan Repayment Act, creating a dedicated fund for repaying loans of public service workers in critical child and family welfare fields. The higher education department is tasked with overseeing the new program, including establishing criteria for fund distribution and reporting annually to the governor and legislature on program activities.

Moreover, the bill revises various sections of the New Mexico Children's Code and the Fostering Connections Act to clarify definitions and enhance legal representation for children and families in abuse, neglect, and custody cases. It updates key terms and mandates the appointment of the office of family representation and advocacy to represent involved parties in court. The bill emphasizes cultural competency in legal representation and allows for the waiver of representation rights under specific conditions. It also grants the office the authority to appoint attorneys as needed and ensures that eligible adults in the fostering connections program remain under children's court jurisdiction, broadening access to legal support for indigent parents and guardians at risk of losing custody of their children.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 21-22F-3, 21-22F-8, 32A-1-4, 32A-4-10, 32A-26-2, 32A-26-7, 32A-27-2, 32A-27-3