New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

New Mexico House Bill HB205 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	underscored material = new
2	2	[bracketed material] = delete
3	3	1
4	4	2
5	5	3
6	6	4
7	7	5
8	8	6
9	9	7
10	10	8
11	11	9
12	12	10
13	13	11
14	14	12
15	15	13
16	16	14
17	17	15
18	18	16
19	19	17
20	20	18
21	21	19
22	22	20
23	23	21
24	24	22
25	25	23
26	26	24
27	27	25
28	28	HOUSE BILL 205
29	29	57
30	30	TH LEGISLATURE
31	31	-
32	32
33	33	STATE
34	34
35	35	OF
36	36
37	37	NEW
38	38
39	39	MEXICO
40	40
41	41	-
42	42	FIRST SESSION
43	43	,
44	44
45	45	2025
46	46	INTRODUCED BY
47	47	Meredith A. Dixon and Gail Armstrong
48	48	FOR THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE
49	49	AN ACT
50	50	RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE; CREATING THE SECRETARY OF CHILDREN,
51	51	YOUTH AND FAMILIES NOMINATING COMMITTEE; REQUIRING THE
52	52	SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO BE SELECTED FROM A
53	53	LIST OF QUALIFIED NOMINEES CREATED BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE;
54	54	MOVING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY FOR THE PLAN OF CARE PROCESS FROM
55	55	THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO THE HEALTH CARE
56	56	AUTHORITY; UPDATING REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANS OF CARE; REQUIRING
57	57	THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE
58	58	MULTILEVEL RESPONSE SYSTEM STATEWIDE; ENACTING THE FAMILIES
59	59	FIRST ACT WITHIN THE CHILDREN'S CODE; REQUIRING THE CHILDREN,
60	60	YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A
61	61	STRATEGIC PLAN FOR APPROVAL BY THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION FOR
62	62	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; REQUIRING PROVISIONS OF THE STRATEGIC
63	63	PLAN TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES
64	64	THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL FAMILY FIRST
65	65	.229811.3 underscored material = new
66	66	[bracketed material] = delete
67	67	1
68	68	2
69	69	3
70	70	4
71	71	5
72	72	6
73	73	7
74	74	8
75	75	9
76	76	10
77	77	11
78	78	12
79	79	13
80	80	14
81	81	15
82	82	16
83	83	17
84	84	18
85	85	19
86	86	20
87	87	21
88	88	22
89	89	23
90	90	24
91	91	25
92	92	PREVENTION SERVICES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
93	93	FAMILIES DEPARTMENT CONSULTATION WITH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD
94	94	EDUCATION AND CARE DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY AND
95	95	THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; PROVIDING STRATEGIC PLAN
96	96	REQUIREMENTS; TRANSFERRING THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL
97	97	FROM THE REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT TO THE
98	98	ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS; DEFINING TERMS IN THE
99	99	CITIZEN SUBSTITUTE CARE REVIEW ACT; PROVIDING FOR STAFFING OF
100	100	THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL; ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR
101	101	CASE REVIEW; PROVIDING FOR RULES PERTAINING TO VOLUNTEER
102	102	MEMBERS; PROVIDING ACCESS TO AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
103	103	CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RECORDS AND INFORMATION; CHANGING
104	104	REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; REQUIRING THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY
105	105	COUNCIL TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT
106	106	WITH CASE REPORTS; REQUIRING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
107	107	DEPARTMENT TO RESPOND TO CASE REPORTS; REQUIRING THE SUBSTITUTE
108	108	CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL STAFF AND THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
109	109	FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO MEET QUARTERLY; TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEES,
110	110	PROPERTY AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS; AMENDING, REPEALING AND
111	111	ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.
112	112	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
113	113	SECTION 1. Section 9-2A-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
114	114	Chapter 57, Section 3) is amended to read:
115	115	"9-2A-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Children, Youth and
116	116	.229811.3
117	117	- 2 - underscored material = new
118	118	[bracketed material] = delete
119	119	1
120	120	2
121	121	3
122	122	4
123	123	5
124	124	6
125	125	7
126	126	8
127	127	9
128	128	10
129	129	11
130	130	12
131	131	13
132	132	14
133	133	15
134	134	16
135	135	17
136	136	18
137	137	19
138	138	20
139	139	21
140	140	22
141	141	23
142	142	24
143	143	25
144	144	Families Department Act:
145	145	A. "department" means the children, youth and
146	146	families department; [and ]
147	147	B. "nominating committee" means the secretary of
148	148	children, youth and families nominating committee; and
149	149	[B.] C. "secretary" means the secretary of
150	150	children, youth and families."
151	151	SECTION 2. Section 9-2A-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
152	152	Chapter 57, Section 6) is amended to read:
153	153	"9-2A-6. SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES--
154	154	APPOINTMENT.--
155	155	A. The chief executive and administrative officer
156	156	of the department is the "secretary of children, youth and
157	157	families". The secretary shall be appointed by the governor
158	158	with the consent of the senate and shall be selected from a
159	159	list of qualified nominees submitted to the governor by the
160	160	nominating committee. The secretary shall hold office at the
161	161	pleasure of the governor and shall serve in the executive
162	162	cabinet.
163	163	B. An appointed secretary shall serve and have all
164	164	the duties, responsibilities and authority of that office
165	165	during the period of time prior to final action by the senate
166	166	confirming or rejecting [his ] the appointment."
167	167	SECTION 3. A new section of the Children, Youth and
168	168	Families Department Act, Section 9-2A-6.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted
169	169	.229811.3
170	170	- 3 - underscored material = new
171	171	[bracketed material] = delete
172	172	1
173	173	2
174	174	3
175	175	4
176	176	5
177	177	6
178	178	7
179	179	8
180	180	9
181	181	10
182	182	11
183	183	12
184	184	13
185	185	14
186	186	15
187	187	16
188	188	17
189	189	18
190	190	19
191	191	20
192	192	21
193	193	22
194	194	23
195	195	24
196	196	25
197	197	to read:
198	198	"9-2A-6.1. [NEW MATERIAL ] SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH
199	199	AND FAMILIES NOMINATING COMMITTEE.--
200	200	A. The "secretary of children, youth and families
201	201	nominating committee" is created and consists of nine members
202	202	who are:
203	203	(1) knowledgeable about child welfare;
204	204	(2) not recipients of contracts or other forms
205	205	of compensation from the department;
206	206	(3) not applicants or nominees for the
207	207	secretary position; and
208	208	(4) appointed as follows:
209	209	(a) six members appointed one each by
210	210	the speaker of the house of representatives, the majority floor
211	211	leader of the house of representatives, the minority floor
212	212	leader of the house of representatives, the president pro
213	213	tempore of the senate, the majority floor leader of the senate
214	214	and the minority floor leader of the senate;
215	215	(b) two members appointed by the
216	216	governor; and
217	217	(c) one member appointed by the chief
218	218	justice of the supreme court.
219	219	B. A nominating committee member shall:
220	220	(1) be a resident of New Mexico;
221	221	(2) serve a four-year term; and
222	222	.229811.3
223	223	- 4 - underscored material = new
224	224	[bracketed material] = delete
225	225	1
226	226	2
227	227	3
228	228	4
229	229	5
230	230	6
231	231	7
232	232	8
233	233	9
234	234	10
235	235	11
236	236	12
237	237	13
238	238	14
239	239	15
240	240	16
241	241	17
242	242	18
243	243	19
244	244	20
245	245	21
246	246	22
247	247	23
248	248	24
249	249	25
250	250	(3) serve without compensation, but shall be
251	251	reimbursed for expenses incurred in pursuit of the member's
252	252	duties on the nominating committee pursuant to the Per Diem and
253	253	Mileage Act.
254	254	C. The nominating committee and individual members
255	255	shall be subject to the Governmental Conduct Act, the
256	256	Inspection of Public Records Act, the Financial Disclosure Act
257	257	and the Open Meetings Act.
258	258	D. Administrative support shall be provided to the
259	259	nominating committee by the staff of the department.
260	260	E. Initial appointments to the nominating committee
261	261	shall be made by the appointing authorities prior to July 1,
262	262	2026. Subsequent appointments shall be made no later than
263	263	thirty days before the end of a term.
264	264	F. The first meeting of the appointed members of
265	265	the nominating committee shall be held prior to September 1,
266	266	2026. The nominating committee shall select one member to be
267	267	chair and one member to be secretary of the nominating
268	268	committee. Following the first meeting, the nominating
269	269	committee shall meet as often as necessary in order to submit a
270	270	list to the governor of no fewer than five qualified nominees
271	271	for appointment as the secretary for the terms beginning
272	272	January 1, 2027. The list shall be developed to provide
273	273	geographical diversity, and nominees on the list shall be from
274	274	at least three different counties of the state.
275	275	.229811.3
276	276	- 5 - underscored material = new
277	277	[bracketed material] = delete
278	278	1
279	279	2
280	280	3
281	281	4
282	282	5
283	283	6
284	284	7
285	285	8
286	286	9
287	287	10
288	288	11
289	289	12
290	290	13
291	291	14
292	292	15
293	293	16
294	294	17
295	295	18
296	296	19
297	297	20
298	298	21
299	299	22
300	300	23
301	301	24
302	302	25
303	303	G. Subsequent to January 1, 2027, the nominating
304	304	committee shall meet at least ninety days prior to the date on
305	305	which the term of the secretary ends and as often as necessary
306	306	thereafter in order to submit a list to the governor, at least
307	307	thirty days prior to the beginning of the new term, of no fewer
308	308	than two qualified nominees from diverse geographical areas of
309	309	the state for appointment as secretary.
310	310	H. Upon the occurrence of a vacancy of the
311	311	secretary position, the nominating committee shall meet within
312	312	thirty days of the date of the beginning of the vacancy and as
313	313	often as necessary thereafter in order to submit a list to the
314	314	governor, within sixty days of the first meeting after the
315	315	vacancy occurs, of no fewer than two qualified nominees from
316	316	diverse geographical areas of the state for appointment as
317	317	secretary.
318	318	I. If a position on the nominating committee
319	319	becomes vacant during a term, a successor shall be selected in
320	320	the same manner as the original appointment for that position
321	321	and shall serve for the remainder of the term of the position
322	322	vacated.
323	323	J. The nominating committee shall actively solicit,
324	324	accept and evaluate applications and may require an applicant
325	325	to submit any information the nominating committee deems
326	326	relevant to the consideration of the individual's application.
327	327	K. A majority vote of all members of the nominating
328	328	.229811.3
329	329	- 6 - underscored material = new
330	330	[bracketed material] = delete
331	331	1
332	332	2
333	333	3
334	334	4
335	335	5
336	336	6
337	337	7
338	338	8
339	339	9
340	340	10
341	341	11
342	342	12
343	343	13
344	344	14
345	345	15
346	346	16
347	347	17
348	348	18
349	349	19
350	350	20
351	351	21
352	352	22
353	353	23
354	354	24
355	355	25
356	356	committee in favor of a person is required for that person to
357	357	be included on the list of qualified nominees submitted to the
358	358	governor."
359	359	SECTION 4. Section 9-2A-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
360	360	Chapter 57, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:
361	361	"9-2A-8. DEPARTMENT--ADDITIONAL DUTIES.--In addition to
362	362	other duties provided by law or assigned to the department by
363	363	the governor, the department shall:
364	364	A. develop priorities for department services and
365	365	resources based on state policy and national best-practice
366	366	standards and local considerations and priorities;
367	367	B. strengthen collaboration and coordination in
368	368	state and local services for children, youth and families by
369	369	integrating critical functions as appropriate, including
370	370	service delivery, and contracting for services across divisions
371	371	and related agencies;
372	372	C. develop and maintain a statewide database,
373	373	including client tracking of services for children, youth and
374	374	families;
375	375	D. develop standards of service within the
376	376	department that focus on prevention, monitoring and outcomes;
377	377	E. analyze policies of other departments that
378	378	affect children, youth and families to encourage common
379	379	contracting procedures, common service definitions and a
380	380	uniform system of access;
381	381	.229811.3
382	382	- 7 - underscored material = new
383	383	[bracketed material] = delete
384	384	1
385	385	2
386	386	3
387	387	4
388	388	5
389	389	6
390	390	7
391	391	8
392	392	9
393	393	10
394	394	11
395	395	12
396	396	13
397	397	14
398	398	15
399	399	16
400	400	17
401	401	18
402	402	19
403	403	20
404	404	21
405	405	22
406	406	23
407	407	24
408	408	25
409	409	F. enact [regulations ] rules to control disposition
410	410	and placement of children under the Children's Code, including
411	411	[regulations] rules to limit or prohibit the out-of-state
412	412	placement of children, including those who have developmental
413	413	disabilities or emotional, neurobiological or behavioral
414	414	disorders, when in-state alternatives are available;
415	415	G. develop reimbursement criteria for licensed
416	416	child care centers and licensed home providers establishing
417	417	that accreditation by a department-approved national
418	418	accrediting body is sufficient qualification for the child care
419	419	center or home provider to receive the highest reimbursement
420	420	rate paid by the department;
421	421	H. assume and implement responsibility for
422	422	children's mental health and substance abuse services in the
423	423	state, coordinating with the [human services department ] health
424	424	care authority and the department of health;
425	425	I. assume and implement the lead responsibility
426	426	among all departments for domestic violence services;
427	427	J. implement prevention and early intervention as a
428	428	departmental focus;
429	429	K. conduct biennial assessments of service gaps and
430	430	needs and establish outcome measurements to address those
431	431	service gaps and needs, including recommendations from the
432	432	governor's children's cabinet and the children, youth and
433	433	families advisory committee;
434	434	.229811.3
435	435	- 8 - underscored material = new
436	436	[bracketed material] = delete
437	437	1
438	438	2
439	439	3
440	440	4
441	441	5
442	442	6
443	443	7
444	444	8
445	445	9
446	446	10
447	447	11
448	448	12
449	449	13
450	450	14
451	451	15
452	452	16
453	453	17
454	454	18
455	455	19
456	456	20
457	457	21
458	458	22
459	459	23
460	460	24
461	461	25
462	462	L. ensure that behavioral health services provided,
463	463	including mental health and substance abuse services for
464	464	children, adolescents and their families, shall be in
465	465	compliance with requirements of Section [9-7-6.4 ] 24A-3-1 NMSA
466	466	1978 and any rules adopted pursuant to that section ; [and]
467	467	M. develop and implement the families first
468	468	strategic plan for the delivery of services and access to
469	469	programs as required pursuant to the Families First Act; and
470	470	[M.] N. fingerprint and conduct nationwide criminal
471	471	history record searches on all department employees, staff
472	472	members and volunteers whose jobs involve direct contact with
473	473	department clients, including prospective employees and
474	474	employees who are promoted, transferred or hired into new
475	475	positions, and the superiors of all department employees, staff
476	476	members and volunteers who have direct unsupervised contact
477	477	with department clients."
478	478	SECTION 5. Section 32A-1-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
479	479	Chapter 77, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:
480	480	"32A-1-4. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Children's Code:
481	481	A. "active efforts" means efforts that are
482	482	affirmative, active, thorough and timely and that represent a
483	483	higher standard of conduct than reasonable efforts;
484	484	B. "adult" means a person who is eighteen years of
485	485	age or older;
486	486	C. "child" means a person who is less than eighteen
487	487	.229811.3
488	488	- 9 - underscored material = new
489	489	[bracketed material] = delete
490	490	1
491	491	2
492	492	3
493	493	4
494	494	5
495	495	6
496	496	7
497	497	8
498	498	9
499	499	10
500	500	11
501	501	12
502	502	13
503	503	14
504	504	15
505	505	16
506	506	17
507	507	18
508	508	19
509	509	20
510	510	21
511	511	22
512	512	23
513	513	24
514	514	25
515	515	years old;
516	516	D. "council" means the substitute care advisory
517	517	council established pursuant to Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978;
518	518	E. "court", when used without further
519	519	qualification, means the children's court division of the
520	520	district court and includes the judge, special master or
521	521	commissioner appointed pursuant to the provisions of the
522	522	Children's Code or supreme court rule;
523	523	F. "court-appointed special advocate" means a
524	524	person appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Children's
525	525	Court Rules to assist the court in determining the best
526	526	interests of the child by investigating the case and submitting
527	527	a report to the court;
528	528	G. "custodian" means an adult with whom the child
529	529	lives who is not a parent or guardian of the child;
530	530	H. "department" means the children, youth and
531	531	families department, unless otherwise specified;
532	532	I. "disproportionate minority contact" means the
533	533	involvement of a racial or ethnic group with the criminal or
534	534	juvenile justice system at a proportion either higher or lower
535	535	than that group's proportion in the general population;
536	536	J. "federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" means
537	537	the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, as that act may
538	538	be amended or its sections renumbered;
539	539	K. "foster parent" means a person, including a
540	540	.229811.3
541	541	- 10 - underscored material = new
542	542	[bracketed material] = delete
543	543	1
544	544	2
545	545	3
546	546	4
547	547	5
548	548	6
549	549	7
550	550	8
551	551	9
552	552	10
553	553	11
554	554	12
555	555	13
556	556	14
557	557	15
558	558	16
559	559	17
560	560	18
561	561	19
562	562	20
563	563	21
564	564	22
565	565	23
566	566	24
567	567	25
568	568	relative of the child, licensed or certified by the department
569	569	or a child placement agency to provide care for children in the
570	570	custody of the department or agency;
571	571	L. "guardian" means a person appointed as a
572	572	guardian by a court or Indian tribal authority or a person
573	573	authorized to care for the child by a parental power of
574	574	attorney as permitted by law ;
575	575	M. "guardian ad litem" means an attorney appointed
576	576	by the children's court to represent and protect the best
577	577	interests of the child in a case; provided that no party or
578	578	employee or representative of a party to the case shall be
579	579	appointed to serve as a guardian ad litem;
580	580	N. "Indian" means, whether an adult or child, a
581	581	person who is:
582	582	(1) a member of an Indian tribe; or
583	583	(2) eligible for membership in an Indian
584	584	tribe;
585	585	O. "Indian child" means an Indian person, or a
586	586	person whom there is reason to know is an Indian person, under
587	587	eighteen years of age, who is neither:
588	588	(1) married; or
589	589	(2) emancipated;
590	590	P. "Indian child's tribe" means:
591	591	(1) the Indian tribe in which an Indian child
592	592	is a member or eligible for membership; or
593	593	.229811.3
594	594	- 11 - underscored material = new
595	595	[bracketed material] = delete
596	596	1
597	597	2
598	598	3
599	599	4
600	600	5
601	601	6
602	602	7
603	603	8
604	604	9
605	605	10
606	606	11
607	607	12
608	608	13
609	609	14
610	610	15
611	611	16
612	612	17
613	613	18
614	614	19
615	615	20
616	616	21
617	617	22
618	618	23
619	619	24
620	620	25
621	621	(2) in the case of an Indian child who is a
622	622	member or eligible for membership in more than one tribe, the
623	623	Indian tribe with which the Indian child has more significant
624	624	contacts;
625	625	Q. "Indian custodian" means an Indian who, pursuant
626	626	to tribal law or custom or pursuant to state law:
627	627	(1) is an adult with legal custody of an
628	628	Indian child; or
629	629	(2) has been transferred temporary physical
630	630	care, custody and control by the parent of the Indian child;
631	631	R. "Indian tribe" means an Indian nation, tribe,
632	632	pueblo or other band, organized group or community of Indians
633	633	recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians by
634	634	the secretary because of their status as Indians, including an
635	635	Alaska native village as defined in 43 U.S.C. Section 1602(c)
636	636	or a regional corporation as defined in 43 U.S.C. Section 1606.
637	637	For the purposes of notification to and communication with a
638	638	tribe as required in the Indian Family Protection Act, "Indian
639	639	tribe" also includes those tribal officials and staff who are
640	640	responsible for child welfare and social services matters;
641	641	S. "judge", when used without further
642	642	qualification, means the judge of the court;
643	643	T. "legal custody" means a legal status created by
644	644	order of the court or other court of competent jurisdiction or
645	645	by operation of statute that vests in a person, department or
646	646	.229811.3
647	647	- 12 - underscored material = new
648	648	[bracketed material] = delete
649	649	1
650	650	2
651	651	3
652	652	4
653	653	5
654	654	6
655	655	7
656	656	8
657	657	9
658	658	10
659	659	11
660	660	12
661	661	13
662	662	14
663	663	15
664	664	16
665	665	17
666	666	18
667	667	19
668	668	20
669	669	21
670	670	22
671	671	23
672	672	24
673	673	25
674	674	agency the right to determine where and with whom a child shall
675	675	live; the right and duty to protect, train and discipline the
676	676	child and to provide the child with food, shelter, personal
677	677	care, education and ordinary and emergency medical care; the
678	678	right to consent to major medical, psychiatric, psychological
679	679	and surgical treatment and to the administration of legally
680	680	prescribed psychotropic medications pursuant to the Children's
681	681	Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Act; and the right
682	682	to consent to the child's enlistment in the armed forces of the
683	683	United States;
684	684	U. "member" or "membership" means a determination
685	685	made by an Indian tribe that a person is a member of or
686	686	eligible for membership in that Indian tribe;
687	687	V. "parent" or "parents" means a biological or
688	688	adoptive parent if the biological or adoptive parent has a
689	689	constitutionally protected liberty interest in the care and
690	690	custody of the child or a person who has lawfully adopted an
691	691	Indian child pursuant to state law or tribal law or tribal
692	692	custom;
693	693	W. "permanency plan" means a determination by the
694	694	court that the child's interest will be served best by:
695	695	(1) reunification;
696	696	(2) placement for adoption after the parents'
697	697	rights have been relinquished or terminated or after a motion
698	698	has been filed to terminate parental rights;
699	699	.229811.3
700	700	- 13 - underscored material = new
701	701	[bracketed material] = delete
702	702	1
703	703	2
704	704	3
705	705	4
706	706	5
707	707	6
708	708	7
709	709	8
710	710	9
711	711	10
712	712	11
713	713	12
714	714	13
715	715	14
716	716	15
717	717	16
718	718	17
719	719	18
720	720	19
721	721	20
722	722	21
723	723	22
724	724	23
725	725	24
726	726	25
727	727	(3) placement with a person who will be the
728	728	child's permanent guardian;
729	729	(4) placement in the legal custody of the
730	730	department with the child placed in the home of a fit and
731	731	willing relative; or
732	732	(5) placement in the legal custody of the
733	733	department under a planned permanent living arrangement;
734	734	X. "person" means an individual or any other form
735	735	of entity recognized by law;
736	736	Y. "plan of care" means a plan created by a health
737	737	care professional intended to ensure the safety and well-being
738	738	of a substance-exposed newborn, or to provide prenatal support
739	739	to a pregnant person dealing with substance use disorder , by
740	740	addressing the treatment needs of the child and any of the
741	741	child's parents, relatives, guardians, family members or
742	742	caregivers to the extent those treatment needs are relevant to
743	743	the safety of the child;
744	744	Z. "preadoptive parent" means a person with whom a
745	745	child has been placed for adoption;
746	746	AA. "protective supervision" means the right to
747	747	visit the child in the home where the child is residing,
748	748	inspect the home, transport the child to court-ordered
749	749	diagnostic examinations and evaluations and obtain information
750	750	and records concerning the child;
751	751	BB. "relative" means a person related to another
752	752	.229811.3
753	753	- 14 - underscored material = new
754	754	[bracketed material] = delete
755	755	1
756	756	2
757	757	3
758	758	4
759	759	5
760	760	6
761	761	7
762	762	8
763	763	9
764	764	10
765	765	11
766	766	12
767	767	13
768	768	14
769	769	15
770	770	16
771	771	17
772	772	18
773	773	19
774	774	20
775	775	21
776	776	22
777	777	23
778	778	24
779	779	25
780	780	person:
781	781	(1) by blood within the fifth degree of
782	782	consanguinity or through marriage by the fifth degree of
783	783	affinity; or
784	784	(2) with respect to an Indian child, as
785	785	established or defined by the Indian child's tribe's custom or
786	786	law;
787	787	CC. "reservation" means:
788	788	(1) "Indian country" as defined in 18 U.S.C.
789	789	Section 1151;
790	790	(2) any lands to which the title is held by
791	791	the United States in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe
792	792	or individual; or
793	793	(3) any lands held by an Indian tribe or
794	794	individual subject to a restriction by the United States
795	795	against alienation;
796	796	DD. "reunification" means either a return of the
797	797	child to the parent or to the home from which the child was
798	798	removed or a return to the noncustodial parent;
799	799	EE. "secretary" means the United States secretary
800	800	of the interior;
801	801	FF. "tribal court" means a court with jurisdiction
802	802	over child custody proceedings that is either a court of Indian
803	803	offenses, a court established and operated under the law or
804	804	custom of an Indian tribe or any other administrative body that
805	805	.229811.3
806	806	- 15 - underscored material = new
807	807	[bracketed material] = delete
808	808	1
809	809	2
810	810	3
811	811	4
812	812	5
813	813	6
814	814	7
815	815	8
816	816	9
817	817	10
818	818	11
819	819	12
820	820	13
821	821	14
822	822	15
823	823	16
824	824	17
825	825	18
826	826	19
827	827	20
828	828	21
829	829	22
830	830	23
831	831	24
832	832	25
833	833	is vested by an Indian tribe with authority over child custody
834	834	proceedings;
835	835	GG. "tribal court order" means a document issued by
836	836	a tribal court that is signed by an appropriate authority,
837	837	including a judge, governor or tribal council member, and that
838	838	orders an action that is within the tribal court's
839	839	jurisdiction; and
840	840	HH. "tribunal" means any judicial forum other than
841	841	the court."
842	842	SECTION 6. Section 32A-3A-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
843	843	Chapter 190, Section 3) is amended to read:
844	844	"32A-3A-13. PLAN OF CARE--GUIDELINES--CREATION--DATA
845	845	SHARING--TRAINING.--
846	846	A. By January 1, 2020, the [department ] health care
847	847	authority, in consultation with medicaid managed care
848	848	organizations, private insurers, the office of superintendent
849	849	of insurance, the [human services ] children, youth and families
850	850	department and the department of health, shall develop rules to
851	851	guide hospitals, birthing centers, medical providers, medicaid
852	852	managed care organizations and private insurers in the care of
853	853	newborns who exhibit physical, neurological or behavioral
854	854	symptoms consistent with prenatal drug exposure, withdrawal
855	855	symptoms from prenatal drug exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum
856	856	disorder.
857	857	B. Rules shall include guidelines to hospitals,
858	858	.229811.3
859	859	- 16 - underscored material = new
860	860	[bracketed material] = delete
861	861	1
862	862	2
863	863	3
864	864	4
865	865	5
866	866	6
867	867	7
868	868	8
869	869	9
870	870	10
871	871	11
872	872	12
873	873	13
874	874	14
875	875	15
876	876	16
877	877	17
878	878	18
879	879	19
880	880	20
881	881	21
882	882	22
883	883	23
884	884	24
885	885	25
886	886	birthing centers, medical providers, medicaid managed care
887	887	organizations and private insurers regarding:
888	888	(1) participation in the [discharge planning ]
889	889	plan of care development process, [including] which may occur
890	890	at a prenatal medical visit and shall occur prior to a
891	891	substance-exposed child's discharge from a hospital. The plan
892	892	of care development process shall allow for the creation of a
893	893	written plan of care that shall be sent to:
894	894	(a) the child's primary care physician;
895	895	(b) a medicaid managed care organization
896	896	insurance plan care coordinator who will monitor the
897	897	implementation of the plan of care after [discharge ] the plan
898	898	of care is created, if the child is insured, or to a care
899	899	coordinator [in the children's medical services of the family
900	900	health bureau of the public health division of the department
901	901	of health] that the authority has contracted with who will
902	902	monitor the implementation of the plan of care after
903	903	[discharge] the plan of care is created , if the child is
904	904	uninsured. The health care authority shall ensure that there
905	905	is at least one care coordinator available in each birthing
906	906	hospital in the state at all times and shall contract with care
907	907	coordinators to ensure that uninsured substance-exposed
908	908	children receive care coordination ; and
909	909	(c) the child's parent, relative,
910	910	guardian or caretaker who is present at discharge who shall
911	911	.229811.3
912	912	- 17 - underscored material = new
913	913	[bracketed material] = delete
914	914	1
915	915	2
916	916	3
917	917	4
918	918	5
919	919	6
920	920	7
921	921	8
922	922	9
923	923	10
924	924	11
925	925	12
926	926	13
927	927	14
928	928	15
929	929	16
930	930	17
931	931	18
932	932	19
933	933	20
934	934	21
935	935	22
936	936	23
937	937	24
938	938	25
939	939	receive a copy upon discharge. The plan of care shall be
940	940	signed by an appropriate representative of the discharging
941	941	hospital and the child's parent, relative, guardian or
942	942	caretaker who is present at discharge;
943	943	(2) definitions and evidence-based screening
944	944	tools, based on standards of professional practice, to be used
945	945	by health care providers to identify a child born affected by
946	946	substance use or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal
947	947	drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The rules
948	948	shall include a requirement that all hospitals, birthing
949	949	centers and prenatal care providers use the screening, brief
950	950	intervention and referral to treatment program at all prenatal
951	951	medical visits and live births ;
952	952	(3) collection and reporting of data to meet
953	953	federal and state reporting requirements, including the
954	954	following:
955	955	(a) by hospitals and birthing centers to
956	956	the department when: 1) a plan of care has been developed; and
957	957	2) a family has been referred for a plan of care;
958	958	(b) information pertaining to a child
959	959	born and diagnosed by a health care professional as affected by
960	960	substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal
961	961	drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and
962	962	(c) data collected by hospitals and
963	963	birthing centers for use by the children's medical services of
964	964	.229811.3
965	965	- 18 - underscored material = new
966	966	[bracketed material] = delete
967	967	1
968	968	2
969	969	3
970	970	4
971	971	5
972	972	6
973	973	7
974	974	8
975	975	9
976	976	10
977	977	11
978	978	12
979	979	13
980	980	14
981	981	15
982	982	16
983	983	17
984	984	18
985	985	19
986	986	20
987	987	21
988	988	22
989	989	23
990	990	24
991	991	25
992	992	the family health bureau of the public health division of the
993	993	department of health in epidemiological reports and to support
994	994	and monitor a plan of care. Information reported pursuant to
995	995	this subparagraph shall be coordinated with communication to
996	996	insurance carrier care coordinators to facilitate access to
997	997	services for children and parents, relatives, guardians or
998	998	caregivers identified in a plan of care;
999	999	(4) identification of appropriate agencies to
1000	1000	be included as supports and services in the plan of care, based
1001	1001	on an assessment of the needs of the child and the child's
1002	1002	relatives, parents, guardians or caretakers, performed by a
1003	1003	discharge planner prior to the child's discharge from the
1004	1004	hospital or birthing center, which: [may include
1005	1005	(a) public health agencies;
1006	1006	(b) maternal and child health agencies;
1007	1007	(c) home visitation programs;
1008	1008	(d) substance use disorder prevention
1009	1009	and treatment providers;
1010	1010	(e) mental health providers;
1011	1011	(f) public and private children and
1012	1012	youth agencies;
1013	1013	(g) early intervention and developmental
1014	1014	services;
1015	1015	(h) courts;
1016	1016	(i) local education agencies;
1017	1017	.229811.3
1018	1018	- 19 - underscored material = new
1019	1019	[bracketed material] = delete
1020	1020	1
1021	1021	2
1022	1022	3
1023	1023	4
1024	1024	5
1025	1025	6
1026	1026	7
1027	1027	8
1028	1028	9
1029	1029	10
1030	1030	11
1031	1031	12
1032	1032	13
1033	1033	14
1034	1034	15
1035	1035	16
1036	1036	17
1037	1037	18
1038	1038	19
1039	1039	20
1040	1040	21
1041	1041	22
1042	1042	23
1043	1043	24
1044	1044	25
1045	1045	(j) managed care organizations; or
1046	1046	(k) hospitals and medical providers;
1047	1047	and]
1048	1048	(a) shall include: 1) home visitation
1049	1049	programs; and 2) substance use disorder prevention and
1050	1050	treatment providers; and
1051	1051	(b) may include: 1) public health
1052	1052	agencies; 2) maternal and child health agencies; 3) mental
1053	1053	health providers; 4) infant mental health providers; 5) public
1054	1054	and private children and youth agencies; 6) early intervention
1055	1055	and developmental services; 7) courts; 8) local education
1056	1056	agencies; 9) managed care organizations; or 10) hospitals and
1057	1057	medical providers;
1058	1058	(5) engagement of the child's relatives,
1059	1059	parents, guardians or caretakers in order to identify the need
1060	1060	for access to treatment for any substance use disorder or other
1061	1061	physical or behavioral health condition that may impact the
1062	1062	safety, early childhood development and well-being of the
1063	1063	child; and
1064	1064	(6) implementation of plans of care that shall
1065	1065	include:
1066	1066	(a) requirements for care coordinators
1067	1067	to actively work with pregnant persons or a substance-exposed
1068	1068	child's parents, relatives, guardians, family members or
1069	1069	caregivers to refer and connect the pregnant person or
1070	1070	.229811.3
1071	1071	- 20 - underscored material = new
1072	1072	[bracketed material] = delete
1073	1073	1
1074	1074	2
1075	1075	3
1076	1076	4
1077	1077	5
1078	1078	6
1079	1079	7
1080	1080	8
1081	1081	9
1082	1082	10
1083	1083	11
1084	1084	12
1085	1085	13
1086	1086	14
1087	1087	15
1088	1088	16
1089	1089	17
1090	1090	18
1091	1091	19
1092	1092	20
1093	1093	21
1094	1094	22
1095	1095	23
1096	1096	24
1097	1097	25
1098	1098	substance-exposed child's parents, relatives, guardians, family
1099	1099	members or caregivers to necessary services. Care coordinators
1100	1100	shall use an evidence-based intensive care coordination model
1101	1101	that is listed in the federal Title IV-E prevention services
1102	1102	clearinghouse or another nationally recognized evidence-based
1103	1103	clearinghouse for child welfare; and
1104	1104	(b) if a pregnant person or a substance-
1105	1105	exposed child's parents, relatives, guardians, family members
1106	1106	or caregivers are not following the plan of care, requirements
1107	1107	that care coordinators make attempts to contact and provide
1108	1108	support services to persons who are not following the plan of
1109	1109	care. Care coordinators shall attempt to make contact with
1110	1110	persons who are not following the plan of care in person, by
1111	1111	mail, by phone call and by text message.
1112	1112	C. Reports made pursuant to Paragraph (3) of
1113	1113	Subsection B of this section shall be collected by the
1114	1114	department as distinct and separate from any child abuse report
1115	1115	as captured and held or investigated by the department, such
1116	1116	that the reporting of a plan of care shall not constitute a
1117	1117	report of suspected child abuse and neglect and shall not
1118	1118	initiate investigation by the department or a report to law
1119	1119	enforcement.
1120	1120	D. The department shall summarize and report data
1121	1121	received pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection B of this
1122	1122	section at intervals as needed to meet federal regulations.
1123	1123	.229811.3
1124	1124	- 21 - underscored material = new
1125	1125	[bracketed material] = delete
1126	1126	1
1127	1127	2
1128	1128	3
1129	1129	4
1130	1130	5
1131	1131	6
1132	1132	7
1133	1133	8
1134	1134	9
1135	1135	10
1136	1136	11
1137	1137	12
1138	1138	13
1139	1139	14
1140	1140	15
1141	1141	16
1142	1142	17
1143	1143	18
1144	1144	19
1145	1145	20
1146	1146	21
1147	1147	22
1148	1148	23
1149	1149	24
1150	1150	25
1151	1151	E. The [children's medical services of the family
1152	1152	health bureau of the public health division of the department
1153	1153	of health shall collect and record data reported pursuant to
1154	1154	Subparagraph (c) of Paragraph (3) of Subsection B of this
1155	1155	section to support and monitor care coordination of plans of
1156	1156	care for children born without insurance ] health care authority
1157	1157	shall provide an annual report to the legislative finance
1158	1158	committee, the interim legislative health and human services
1159	1159	committee and the department of finance and administration on
1160	1160	the status of the plan of care system. The report shall
1161	1161	include the following aggregate statistical information related
1162	1162	to the creation of plans of care:
1163	1163	(1) the primary substances that infants were
1164	1164	exposed to;
1165	1165	(2) the services that infants and families
1166	1166	were referred to;
1167	1167	(3) the uptake rate of services;
1168	1168	(4) whether an infant or an infant's family
1169	1169	was subsequently reported to the children, youth and families
1170	1170	department; and
1171	1171	(5) demographic and geographic data .
1172	1172	F. Reports made pursuant to the requirements in
1173	1173	this section shall not be construed to relieve a person of the
1174	1174	requirement to report to the department knowledge of or a
1175	1175	reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or neglected
1176	1176	.229811.3
1177	1177	- 22 - underscored material = new
1178	1178	[bracketed material] = delete
1179	1179	1
1180	1180	2
1181	1181	3
1182	1182	4
1183	1183	5
1184	1184	6
1185	1185	7
1186	1186	8
1187	1187	9
1188	1188	10
1189	1189	11
1190	1190	12
1191	1191	13
1192	1192	14
1193	1193	15
1194	1194	16
1195	1195	17
1196	1196	18
1197	1197	19
1198	1198	20
1199	1199	21
1200	1200	22
1201	1201	23
1202	1202	24
1203	1203	25
1204	1204	child based on criteria as defined by Section 32A-4-2 NMSA
1205	1205	1978.
1206	1206	G. The department and the health care authority
1207	1207	shall work in consultation with the department of health to
1208	1208	create and distribute training materials to support and educate
1209	1209	discharge planners or social workers on the following:
1210	1210	(1) how to assess whether to make a referral
1211	1211	to the department pursuant to the Abuse and Neglect Act;
1212	1212	(2) how to assess whether to make a
1213	1213	notification to the department pursuant to Subsection B of
1214	1214	Section 32A-4-3 NMSA 1978 for a child who has been diagnosed as
1215	1215	affected by substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from
1216	1216	prenatal drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
1217	1217	(3) how to assess whether to create a plan of
1218	1218	care when a referral to the department is not required; and
1219	1219	(4) the creation and deployment of a plan of
1220	1220	care.
1221	1221	H. [No] A person shall not have a cause of action
1222	1222	for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission resulting
1223	1223	from the implementation of the provisions of Subsection G of
1224	1224	this section or resulting from any training, or lack thereof,
1225	1225	required by Subsection G of this section.
1226	1226	I. The training, or lack thereof, required by the
1227	1227	provisions of Subsection G of this section shall not be
1228	1228	construed to impose any specific duty of care."
1229	1229	.229811.3
1230	1230	- 23 - underscored material = new
1231	1231	[bracketed material] = delete
1232	1232	1
1233	1233	2
1234	1234	3
1235	1235	4
1236	1236	5
1237	1237	6
1238	1238	7
1239	1239	8
1240	1240	9
1241	1241	10
1242	1242	11
1243	1243	12
1244	1244	13
1245	1245	14
1246	1246	15
1247	1247	16
1248	1248	17
1249	1249	18
1250	1250	19
1251	1251	20
1252	1252	21
1253	1253	22
1254	1254	23
1255	1255	24
1256	1256	25
1257	1257	SECTION 7. Section 32A-3A-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
1258	1258	Chapter 190, Section 4) is amended to read:
1259	1259	"32A-3A-14. NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
1260	1260	NONCOMPLIANCE WITH A PLAN OF CARE.--
1261	1261	A. If the parents, relatives, guardians or
1262	1262	caretakers of a child released from a hospital or freestanding
1263	1263	birthing center pursuant to a plan of care fail to comply with
1264	1264	that plan, the health care authority, a medicaid managed care
1265	1265	organization insurance plan care coordinator or a care
1266	1266	coordinator contracted with the health care authority shall
1267	1267	notify the department [shall be notified ] and the department
1268	1268	[may] shall conduct a family assessment. Based on the results
1269	1269	of the family assessment, the department may offer or provide
1270	1270	referrals for counseling, training, or other services aimed at
1271	1271	addressing the underlying causative factors that may jeopardize
1272	1272	the safety or well-being of the child. The child's parents,
1273	1273	relatives, guardians or caretakers may choose to accept or
1274	1274	decline any service or program offered subsequent to the family
1275	1275	assessment; provided that if the child's parents, relatives,
1276	1276	guardians or caretakers decline those services or programs, and
1277	1277	the department [may] determines that those services or programs
1278	1278	are necessary to address the concerns of potential imminent
1279	1279	harm to the child, the department shall proceed with an
1280	1280	investigation.
1281	1281	B. As used in this section, "family assessment"
1282	1282	.229811.3
1283	1283	- 24 - underscored material = new
1284	1284	[bracketed material] = delete
1285	1285	1
1286	1286	2
1287	1287	3
1288	1288	4
1289	1289	5
1290	1290	6
1291	1291	7
1292	1292	8
1293	1293	9
1294	1294	10
1295	1295	11
1296	1296	12
1297	1297	13
1298	1298	14
1299	1299	15
1300	1300	16
1301	1301	17
1302	1302	18
1303	1303	19
1304	1304	20
1305	1305	21
1306	1306	22
1307	1307	23
1308	1308	24
1309	1309	25
1310	1310	means a comprehensive assessment prepared by the department at
1311	1311	the time the department receives notification of failure to
1312	1312	comply with the plan of care to determine the needs of a child
1313	1313	and the child's parents, relatives, guardians or caretakers,
1314	1314	including an assessment of the likelihood of:
1315	1315	(1) imminent danger to a child's well-being;
1316	1316	(2) the child becoming an abused child or
1317	1317	neglected child; and
1318	1318	(3) the strengths and needs of the child's
1319	1319	family members, including parents, relatives, guardians or
1320	1320	caretakers, with respect to providing for the health and safety
1321	1321	of the child."
1322	1322	SECTION 8. Section 32A-4-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
1323	1323	Chapter 77, Section 97, as amended) is amended to read:
1324	1324	"32A-4-3. DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD NEGLECT--
1325	1325	RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT--PENALTY--
1326	1326	NOTIFICATION OF PLAN OF CARE.--
1327	1327	A. Every person, including a licensed physician; a
1328	1328	resident or an intern examining, attending or treating a child;
1329	1329	a law enforcement officer; a judge presiding during a
1330	1330	proceeding; a registered nurse; a visiting nurse; a school
1331	1331	employee; a social worker acting in an official capacity; or a
1332	1332	member of the clergy who has information that is not privileged
1333	1333	as a matter of law, who knows or has a reasonable suspicion
1334	1334	that a child is an abused or a neglected child shall report the
1335	1335	.229811.3
1336	1336	- 25 - underscored material = new
1337	1337	[bracketed material] = delete
1338	1338	1
1339	1339	2
1340	1340	3
1341	1341	4
1342	1342	5
1343	1343	6
1344	1344	7
1345	1345	8
1346	1346	9
1347	1347	10
1348	1348	11
1349	1349	12
1350	1350	13
1351	1351	14
1352	1352	15
1353	1353	16
1354	1354	17
1355	1355	18
1356	1356	19
1357	1357	20
1358	1358	21
1359	1359	22
1360	1360	23
1361	1361	24
1362	1362	25
1363	1363	matter immediately to:
1364	1364	(1) a local law enforcement agency;
1365	1365	(2) the department; or
1366	1366	(3) a tribal law enforcement or social
1367	1367	services agency for any Indian child residing in Indian
1368	1368	country.
1369	1369	B. A law enforcement agency receiving the report
1370	1370	shall immediately transmit the facts of the report and the
1371	1371	name, address and phone number of the reporter by telephone to
1372	1372	the department and shall transmit the same information in
1373	1373	writing within forty-eight hours. The department shall
1374	1374	immediately transmit the facts of the report and the name,
1375	1375	address and phone number of the reporter by telephone to a
1376	1376	local law enforcement agency and shall transmit the same
1377	1377	information in writing within forty-eight hours. The written
1378	1378	report shall contain the names and addresses of the child and
1379	1379	the child's parents, guardian or custodian, the child's age,
1380	1380	the nature and extent of the child's injuries, including any
1381	1381	evidence of previous injuries, and other information that the
1382	1382	maker of the report believes might be helpful in establishing
1383	1383	the cause of the injuries and the identity of the person
1384	1384	responsible for the injuries. The written report shall be
1385	1385	submitted upon a standardized form agreed to by the law
1386	1386	enforcement agency and the department.
1387	1387	C. The recipient of a report under Subsection A of
1388	1388	.229811.3
1389	1389	- 26 - underscored material = new
1390	1390	[bracketed material] = delete
1391	1391	1
1392	1392	2
1393	1393	3
1394	1394	4
1395	1395	5
1396	1396	6
1397	1397	7
1398	1398	8
1399	1399	9
1400	1400	10
1401	1401	11
1402	1402	12
1403	1403	13
1404	1404	14
1405	1405	15
1406	1406	16
1407	1407	17
1408	1408	18
1409	1409	19
1410	1410	20
1411	1411	21
1412	1412	22
1413	1413	23
1414	1414	24
1415	1415	25
1416	1416	this section shall take immediate steps to ensure prompt
1417	1417	investigation of the report. The investigation shall ensure
1418	1418	that immediate steps are taken to protect the health or welfare
1419	1419	of the alleged abused or neglected child, as well as that of
1420	1420	any other child under the same care who may be in danger of
1421	1421	abuse or neglect. A local law enforcement officer trained in
1422	1422	the investigation of child abuse and neglect is responsible for
1423	1423	investigating reports of alleged child abuse or neglect at
1424	1424	schools, daycare facilities or child care facilities.
1425	1425	D. If the child alleged to be abused or neglected
1426	1426	is in the care or control of or in a facility administratively
1427	1427	connected to the department, the report shall be investigated
1428	1428	by a local law enforcement officer trained in the investigation
1429	1429	of child abuse and neglect. The investigation shall ensure
1430	1430	that immediate steps are taken to protect the health or welfare
1431	1431	of the alleged abused or neglected child, as well as that of
1432	1432	any other child under the same care who may be in danger of
1433	1433	abuse or neglect.
1434	1434	E. A law enforcement agency or the department shall
1435	1435	have access to any of the records pertaining to a child abuse
1436	1436	or neglect case maintained by any of the persons enumerated in
1437	1437	Subsection A of this section, except as otherwise provided in
1438	1438	the Abuse and Neglect Act.
1439	1439	F. A person who violates the provisions of
1440	1440	Subsection A of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and
1441	1441	.229811.3
1442	1442	- 27 - underscored material = new
1443	1443	[bracketed material] = delete
1444	1444	1
1445	1445	2
1446	1446	3
1447	1447	4
1448	1448	5
1449	1449	6
1450	1450	7
1451	1451	8
1452	1452	9
1453	1453	10
1454	1454	11
1455	1455	12
1456	1456	13
1457	1457	14
1458	1458	15
1459	1459	16
1460	1460	17
1461	1461	18
1462	1462	19
1463	1463	20
1464	1464	21
1465	1465	22
1466	1466	23
1467	1467	24
1468	1468	25
1469	1469	shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section
1470	1470	31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
1471	1471	G. A finding that a pregnant woman is using or
1472	1472	abusing drugs made pursuant to an interview, self-report,
1473	1473	clinical observation or routine toxicology screen shall not
1474	1474	alone form a sufficient basis to report child abuse or neglect
1475	1475	to the department pursuant to Subsection A of this section. A
1476	1476	volunteer, contractor or staff of a hospital or freestanding
1477	1477	birthing center shall not make a report based solely on that
1478	1478	finding and shall make a notification pursuant to Subsection H
1479	1479	of this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed
1480	1480	to prevent a person from reporting to the department a
1481	1481	reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or neglected
1482	1482	child based on other criteria as defined by Section 32A-4-2
1483	1483	NMSA 1978, or a combination of criteria that includes a finding
1484	1484	pursuant to this subsection.
1485	1485	H. A volunteer, contractor or staff of a hospital,
1486	1486	[or] freestanding birthing center or clinic that provides
1487	1487	prenatal care shall:
1488	1488	(1) complete a written plan of care for a
1489	1489	substance-exposed newborn or a pregnant person who agrees to
1490	1490	creating a plan of care , as provided for by department rule and
1491	1491	the Children's Code; and
1492	1492	(2) provide notification to the department and
1493	1493	the health care authority . Notification by a health care
1494	1494	.229811.3
1495	1495	- 28 - underscored material = new
1496	1496	[bracketed material] = delete
1497	1497	1
1498	1498	2
1499	1499	3
1500	1500	4
1501	1501	5
1502	1502	6
1503	1503	7
1504	1504	8
1505	1505	9
1506	1506	10
1507	1507	11
1508	1508	12
1509	1509	13
1510	1510	14
1511	1511	15
1512	1512	16
1513	1513	17
1514	1514	18
1515	1515	19
1516	1516	20
1517	1517	21
1518	1518	22
1519	1519	23
1520	1520	24
1521	1521	25
1522	1522	provider pursuant to this paragraph shall not be construed as a
1523	1523	report of child abuse or neglect.
1524	1524	I. As used in this section, "notification" means
1525	1525	informing the department and the health care authority that a
1526	1526	substance-exposed newborn was born and providing a copy of the
1527	1527	plan of care that was created for the child; provided that
1528	1528	notification shall comply with federal guidelines and shall not
1529	1529	constitute a report of child abuse or neglect.
1530	1530	J. As used in this section, "school employee"
1531	1531	includes employees of a school district or a public school."
1532	1532	SECTION 9. Section 32A-4-4.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
1533	1533	Chapter 137, Section 2) is amended to read:
1534	1534	"32A-4-4.1. MULTILEVEL RESPONSE SYSTEM.--
1535	1535	A. The department shall establish a multilevel
1536	1536	response system to evaluate and provide services to a child or
1537	1537	the family, relatives, caretakers or guardians of a child with
1538	1538	respect to whom a report alleging neglect or abuse has been
1539	1539	made. The multilevel response system may include an
1540	1540	alternative to investigation upon completion of an evaluation
1541	1541	that may be completed at intake by the department, the results
1542	1542	of which indicate that there is no immediate concern for the
1543	1543	child's safety; provided, however, that an investigation shall
1544	1544	be conducted for any report:
1545	1545	(1) alleging sexual abuse of a child or
1546	1546	serious or imminent harm to a child;
1547	1547	.229811.3
1548	1548	- 29 - underscored material = new
1549	1549	[bracketed material] = delete
1550	1550	1
1551	1551	2
1552	1552	3
1553	1553	4
1554	1554	5
1555	1555	6
1556	1556	7
1557	1557	8
1558	1558	9
1559	1559	10
1560	1560	11
1561	1561	12
1562	1562	13
1563	1563	14
1564	1564	15
1565	1565	16
1566	1566	17
1567	1567	18
1568	1568	19
1569	1569	20
1570	1570	21
1571	1571	22
1572	1572	23
1573	1573	24
1574	1574	25
1575	1575	(2) indicating a child fatality;
1576	1576	(3) requiring law enforcement involvement, as
1577	1577	identified pursuant to rules promulgated by the department; or
1578	1578	(4) requiring a specialized assessment or a
1579	1579	traditional investigative approach, as determined pursuant to
1580	1580	rules promulgated by the department.
1581	1581	B. The department may remove a case from the
1582	1582	multilevel response system and conduct an investigation if
1583	1583	imminent danger of serious harm to the child becomes evident.
1584	1584	The department may reassign a case from investigation to the
1585	1585	multilevel response system at the discretion of the department.
1586	1586	C. For each family, including the child who is the
1587	1587	subject of a report to the department and that child's
1588	1588	relatives, caretakers or guardians, that receives services
1589	1589	under the multilevel response system, the department shall
1590	1590	conduct a family assessment. Based on the results of the
1591	1591	family assessment, the department may offer or provide
1592	1592	referrals for counseling, training or other services aimed at
1593	1593	addressing the underlying causative factors jeopardizing the
1594	1594	safety or well-being of the child who is the subject of a
1595	1595	report to the department. A family member, relative, caretaker
1596	1596	or guardian may choose to accept or decline any services or
1597	1597	programs offered under the multilevel response system;
1598	1598	provided, however, that if a family member, relative, caretaker
1599	1599	or guardian declines services, the department may choose to
1600	1600	.229811.3
1601	1601	- 30 - underscored material = new
1602	1602	[bracketed material] = delete
1603	1603	1
1604	1604	2
1605	1605	3
1606	1606	4
1607	1607	5
1608	1608	6
1609	1609	7
1610	1610	8
1611	1611	9
1612	1612	10
1613	1613	11
1614	1614	12
1615	1615	13
1616	1616	14
1617	1617	15
1618	1618	16
1619	1619	17
1620	1620	18
1621	1621	19
1622	1622	20
1623	1623	21
1624	1624	22
1625	1625	23
1626	1626	24
1627	1627	25
1628	1628	proceed with an investigation.
1629	1629	D. The department shall employ licensed social
1630	1630	workers to provide services to families, relatives, caretakers
1631	1631	or guardians participating in the multilevel response system to
1632	1632	the extent that licensed social workers are available for
1633	1633	employment.
1634	1634	[E. The department may pilot the multilevel
1635	1635	response system prior to statewide implementation.
1636	1636	F. The department may limit implementation of the
1637	1637	multilevel response system to areas of the state where
1638	1638	appropriate services are available and operate the system
1639	1639	within available state and federal resources.
1640	1640	G.] E. The department shall:
1641	1641	(1) provide an annual report of system
1642	1642	implementation and outcomes to the legislative finance
1643	1643	committee, the interim legislative health and human services
1644	1644	committee, the interim committee that studies courts,
1645	1645	corrections and justice and the department of finance and
1646	1646	administration as part of the department's budget submission;
1647	1647	(2) arrange for an independent evaluation of
1648	1648	the multilevel response system, including examining outcomes
1649	1649	for child safety and well-being and cost-effectiveness;
1650	1650	(3) incorporate the multilevel response system
1651	1651	into the department's quality assurance review process;
1652	1652	(4) develop performance measures, as provided
1653	1653	.229811.3
1654	1654	- 31 - underscored material = new
1655	1655	[bracketed material] = delete
1656	1656	1
1657	1657	2
1658	1658	3
1659	1659	4
1660	1660	5
1661	1661	6
1662	1662	7
1663	1663	8
1664	1664	9
1665	1665	10
1666	1666	11
1667	1667	12
1668	1668	13
1669	1669	14
1670	1670	15
1671	1671	16
1672	1672	17
1673	1673	18
1674	1674	19
1675	1675	20
1676	1676	21
1677	1677	22
1678	1678	23
1679	1679	24
1680	1680	25
1681	1681	in the Accountability in Government Act, for the multilevel
1682	1682	response system; and
1683	1683	(5) implement the multilevel response system
1684	1684	statewide no later than July 1, [2022, if the department pilots
1685	1685	or otherwise geographically limits the multilevel response
1686	1686	system, submit a plan to the legislative finance committee and
1687	1687	the department of finance and administration setting forth how
1688	1688	the system could be expanded statewide, including a plan to
1689	1689	address service availability, and identifying costs that would
1690	1690	be incurred by the department ] 2027.
1691	1691	[H.] F. The department shall promulgate rules to
1692	1692	implement the provisions of this section.
1693	1693	[I.] G. As used in this section, "family
1694	1694	assessment" means a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment
1695	1695	tool used by the department to determine the needs of a child
1696	1696	and the child's family, relatives, caretakers or guardians at
1697	1697	the time the department receives a report of child abuse and
1698	1698	neglect, including an assessment of the likelihood of:
1699	1699	(1) imminent danger to a child's well-being;
1700	1700	(2) the child becoming an abused child or a
1701	1701	neglected child; and
1702	1702	(3) the strengths and needs of the child's
1703	1703	family members, relatives, caretakers or guardians with respect
1704	1704	to providing for the health and safety of the child."
1705	1705	SECTION 10. A new section of the Children's Code is
1706	1706	.229811.3
1707	1707	- 32 - underscored material = new
1708	1708	[bracketed material] = delete
1709	1709	1
1710	1710	2
1711	1711	3
1712	1712	4
1713	1713	5
1714	1714	6
1715	1715	7
1716	1716	8
1717	1717	9
1718	1718	10
1719	1719	11
1720	1720	12
1721	1721	13
1722	1722	14
1723	1723	15
1724	1724	16
1725	1725	17
1726	1726	18
1727	1727	19
1728	1728	20
1729	1729	21
1730	1730	22
1731	1731	23
1732	1732	24
1733	1733	25
1734	1734	enacted to read:
1735	1735	"[NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--Sections 10 through 13 of
1736	1736	this act may be cited as the "Families First Act"."
1737	1737	SECTION 11. A new section of the Children's Code is
1738	1738	enacted to read:
1739	1739	"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Families
1740	1740	First Act:
1741	1741	A. "families first services" means foster care
1742	1742	prevention services categorized pursuant to the federal Title
1743	1743	IV-E prevention services clearinghouse as well-supported,
1744	1744	supported or promising that are included in the families first
1745	1745	strategic plan implemented pursuant to the Families First Act
1746	1746	and are provided by the department through the implementation
1747	1747	of that strategic plan; and
1748	1748	B. "families first strategic plan" means the plan
1749	1749	required pursuant to the Families First Act that is developed
1750	1750	and implemented by the department in accordance with the
1751	1751	regulations and requirements set forth in the federal Family
1752	1752	First Prevention Services Act."
1753	1753	SECTION 12. A new section of the Children's Code is
1754	1754	enacted to read:
1755	1755	"[NEW MATERIAL] FAMILIES FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN--DEPARTMENT
1756	1756	DUTIES--FAMILIES FIRST SERVICES--TIME LINE--IMPLEMENTATION.--
1757	1757	A. In consultation with the early childhood
1758	1758	education and care department, the health care authority and
1759	1759	.229811.3
1760	1760	- 33 - underscored material = new
1761	1761	[bracketed material] = delete
1762	1762	1
1763	1763	2
1764	1764	3
1765	1765	4
1766	1766	5
1767	1767	6
1768	1768	7
1769	1769	8
1770	1770	9
1771	1771	10
1772	1772	11
1773	1773	12
1774	1774	13
1775	1775	14
1776	1776	15
1777	1777	16
1778	1778	17
1779	1779	18
1780	1780	19
1781	1781	20
1782	1782	21
1783	1783	22
1784	1784	23
1785	1785	24
1786	1786	25
1787	1787	the department of health, the department shall develop and
1788	1788	implement the families first strategic plan. In developing the
1789	1789	families first strategic plan, the department shall:
1790	1790	(1) ensure that provisions of the families
1791	1791	first strategic plan align with and meet the requirements set
1792	1792	forth in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act; and
1793	1793	(2) maximize resources from the federal
1794	1794	government under Title IV-E that are available to the
1795	1795	department to provide families first services.
1796	1796	B. The families first strategic plan required
1797	1797	pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall:
1798	1798	(1) include a comprehensive description of the
1799	1799	department's responsibilities and duties for providing families
1800	1800	first services;
1801	1801	(2) include a comprehensive and detailed list
1802	1802	of each of the families first services the department will
1803	1803	provide to eligible persons and affirm that each service to be
1804	1804	provided:
1805	1805	(a) is eligible for reimbursement
1806	1806	pursuant to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1807	1807	and
1808	1808	(b) is rated as promising, supported or
1809	1809	well-supported in accordance with the Title IV-E prevention
1810	1810	services clearinghouse;
1811	1811	(3) identify all network services providers,
1812	1812	.229811.3
1813	1813	- 34 - underscored material = new
1814	1814	[bracketed material] = delete
1815	1815	1
1816	1816	2
1817	1817	3
1818	1818	4
1819	1819	5
1820	1820	6
1821	1821	7
1822	1822	8
1823	1823	9
1824	1824	10
1825	1825	11
1826	1826	12
1827	1827	13
1828	1828	14
1829	1829	15
1830	1830	16
1831	1831	17
1832	1832	18
1833	1833	19
1834	1834	20
1835	1835	21
1836	1836	22
1837	1837	23
1838	1838	24
1839	1839	25
1840	1840	including other state agencies, that the department will use
1841	1841	for providing families first services. If services are
1842	1842	provided by another state agency, the department, together with
1843	1843	the other state agency, shall establish safety monitoring
1844	1844	protocols for direct monitoring of the services provided by
1845	1845	that agency and, for each provider used by the department, list
1846	1846	the specific families first service that the network services
1847	1847	provider will provide, including:
1848	1848	(a) mental health or substance abuse
1849	1849	prevention and treatment;
1850	1850	(b) in-home parent skill-based programs;
1851	1851	(c) kinship navigator programs; or
1852	1852	(d) any other programs or services that
1853	1853	are eligible or become eligible for reimbursement pursuant to
1854	1854	the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1855	1855	(4) identify and define the population of
1856	1856	eligible persons who may receive families first services and
1857	1857	include, at a minimum:
1858	1858	(a) a child who is a candidate for
1859	1859	foster care but who can remain safely at home with the
1860	1860	provision of evidence-based services;
1861	1861	(b) a parent, guardian or caregiver of a
1862	1862	child at risk of entering foster care;
1863	1863	(c) a pregnant or parenting youth in
1864	1864	foster care; and
1865	1865	.229811.3
1866	1866	- 35 - underscored material = new
1867	1867	[bracketed material] = delete
1868	1868	1
1869	1869	2
1870	1870	3
1871	1871	4
1872	1872	5
1873	1873	6
1874	1874	7
1875	1875	8
1876	1876	9
1877	1877	10
1878	1878	11
1879	1879	12
1880	1880	13
1881	1881	14
1882	1882	15
1883	1883	16
1884	1884	17
1885	1885	18
1886	1886	19
1887	1887	20
1888	1888	21
1889	1889	22
1890	1890	23
1891	1891	24
1892	1892	25
1893	1893	(d) other eligible persons identified by
1894	1894	the department;
1895	1895	(5) identify processes and procedures to be
1896	1896	established and followed by the department to determine
1897	1897	eligibility for any families first service;
1898	1898	(6) identify processes and procedures to be
1899	1899	established and followed by the department to maximize federal
1900	1900	reimbursements, funding and resources available to the
1901	1901	department to provide families first services;
1902	1902	(7) identify the process that the department
1903	1903	will use to monitor and oversee the safety of children who
1904	1904	receive families first services and programs, as required by
1905	1905	the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1906	1906	(8) establish appropriate metrics the
1907	1907	department will use to determine and evaluate outcomes from the
1908	1908	department's providing of families first services pursuant to
1909	1909	the Families First Act, including outcomes related specifically
1910	1910	to subsequent substantiated reports of maltreatment and the
1911	1911	numbers of children entering foster care;
1912	1912	(9) establish an appropriate time line and
1913	1913	strategy for providing families first services statewide. The
1914	1914	time line shall include the following:
1915	1915	(a) no later than June 30, 2027, the
1916	1916	department shall provide families first services through a
1917	1917	pilot program that is designed for implementation considering
1918	1918	.229811.3
1919	1919	- 36 - underscored material = new
1920	1920	[bracketed material] = delete
1921	1921	1
1922	1922	2
1923	1923	3
1924	1924	4
1925	1925	5
1926	1926	6
1927	1927	7
1928	1928	8
1929	1929	9
1930	1930	10
1931	1931	11
1932	1932	12
1933	1933	13
1934	1934	14
1935	1935	15
1936	1936	16
1937	1937	17
1938	1938	18
1939	1939	19
1940	1940	20
1941	1941	21
1942	1942	22
1943	1943	23
1944	1944	24
1945	1945	25
1946	1946	factors such as county population density and rates of child
1947	1947	maltreatment and repeat maltreatment; and
1948	1948	(b) no later than June 30, 2032, the
1949	1949	department shall provide statewide implementation of families
1950	1950	first services rolled out in a manner consistent with the best
1951	1951	practices derived from the evaluation of the observation,
1952	1952	experiences and discernible outcomes of the pilot program;
1953	1953	(10) provide a detailed description of how the
1954	1954	department will continuously monitor the families first
1955	1955	strategic plan, from development of the plan through the pilot
1956	1956	program phase and to statewide implementation. Included in
1957	1957	that description shall be how the department will monitor key
1958	1958	factors likely to best ensure fidelity to the service model
1959	1959	developed within the families first strategic plan; and
1960	1960	(11) establish the appropriate information to
1961	1961	include in an annual report to be provided by the department to
1962	1962	the legislative finance committee, the interim legislative
1963	1963	health and human services committee and the governor. At a
1964	1964	minimum, the annual report shall include the following
1965	1965	information:
1966	1966	(a) an up-to-date inventory of all
1967	1967	families first services available;
1968	1968	(b) data, without inclusion of personal
1969	1969	identifier information, regarding the uptake and program
1970	1970	completion among eligible individuals of families first
1971	1971	.229811.3
1972	1972	- 37 - underscored material = new
1973	1973	[bracketed material] = delete
1974	1974	1
1975	1975	2
1976	1976	3
1977	1977	4
1978	1978	5
1979	1979	6
1980	1980	7
1981	1981	8
1982	1982	9
1983	1983	10
1984	1984	11
1985	1985	12
1986	1986	13
1987	1987	14
1988	1988	15
1989	1989	16
1990	1990	17
1991	1991	18
1992	1992	19
1993	1993	20
1994	1994	21
1995	1995	22
1996	1996	23
1997	1997	24
1998	1998	25
1999	1999	services, including the area of the state in which the services
2000	2000	were accessed;
2001	2001	(c) performance results regarding
2002	2002	identified outcome measures, to include aggregate data about
2003	2003	child participant placement status at the beginning of services
2004	2004	and one year after services and whether the child entered
2005	2005	foster care within two years after being determined a candidate
2006	2006	for foster care and receiving families first services; and
2007	2007	(d) fiscal information regarding program
2008	2008	and service expenditures and disaggregating state and federal
2009	2009	revenue sources.
2010	2010	C. For the purposes of this subsection, "approving
2011	2011	authority" means the federal administration for children and
2012	2012	families. The department shall:
2013	2013	(1) no later than August 1, 2025, finalize the
2014	2014	provisions of the families first strategic plan, post the plan
2015	2015	to the department's website and provide a copy of the plan to
2016	2016	the legislative finance committee, the interim legislative
2017	2017	health and human services committee and the governor;
2018	2018	(2) no later than September 1, 2025:
2019	2019	(a) submit the families first strategic
2020	2020	plan to the approving authority for approval; and
2021	2021	(b) begin providing families first
2022	2022	services pursuant to the provisions of the Families First Act;
2023	2023	(3) if a submitted strategic plan is not
2024	2024	.229811.3
2025	2025	- 38 - underscored material = new
2026	2026	[bracketed material] = delete
2027	2027	1
2028	2028	2
2029	2029	3
2030	2030	4
2031	2031	5
2032	2032	6
2033	2033	7
2034	2034	8
2035	2035	9
2036	2036	10
2037	2037	11
2038	2038	12
2039	2039	13
2040	2040	14
2041	2041	15
2042	2042	16
2043	2043	17
2044	2044	18
2045	2045	19
2046	2046	20
2047	2047	21
2048	2048	22
2049	2049	23
2050	2050	24
2051	2051	25
2052	2052	approved and the approving authority indicates that to secure
2053	2053	an approval, the strategic plan must be revised, as soon as
2054	2054	practicable:
2055	2055	(a) revise the families first strategic
2056	2056	plan in accordance with the revisions required by the approving
2057	2057	authority; and
2058	2058	(b) submit the revised strategic plan to
2059	2059	the approving authority; and
2060	2060	(4) include in the department's reports
2061	2061	required pursuant to the Families First Act the status of each
2062	2062	families first strategic plan submitted to the approving
2063	2063	authority for approval, including any specific revisions
2064	2064	required, the dates of submissions and the dates of approval or
2065	2065	nonapproval by the approving authority for each submitted
2066	2066	strategic plan and any other relevant information related to
2067	2067	the status of a families first strategic plan submitted to the
2068	2068	approving authority by the department.
2069	2069	D. No later than July 1, 2026, and by each July 1
2070	2070	thereafter, the department shall post the annual report as
2071	2071	established in the families first strategic plan pursuant to
2072	2072	the Families First Act to the department's website, and the
2073	2073	department shall submit the annual report to the legislative
2074	2074	finance committee, the interim legislative health and human
2075	2075	services committee and the governor."
2076	2076	SECTION 13. A new section of the Children's Code is
2077	2077	.229811.3
2078	2078	- 39 - underscored material = new
2079	2079	[bracketed material] = delete
2080	2080	1
2081	2081	2
2082	2082	3
2083	2083	4
2084	2084	5
2085	2085	6
2086	2086	7
2087	2087	8
2088	2088	9
2089	2089	10
2090	2090	11
2091	2091	12
2092	2092	13
2093	2093	14
2094	2094	15
2095	2095	16
2096	2096	17
2097	2097	18
2098	2098	19
2099	2099	20
2100	2100	21
2101	2101	22
2102	2102	23
2103	2103	24
2104	2104	25
2105	2105	enacted to read:
2106	2106	"[NEW MATERIAL] RULES.--By August 1, 2027, the department
2107	2107	shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary to carry out the
2108	2108	provisions of the Families First Act."
2109	2109	SECTION 14. Section 32A-4-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2110	2110	Chapter 77, Section 115, as amended) is amended to read:
2111	2111	"32A-4-21. NEGLECT OR ABUSE PREDISPOSITION STUDIES,
2112	2112	REPORTS AND EXAMINATIONS--SUPPORT SERVICES .--
2113	2113	A. Prior to holding a dispositional hearing, the
2114	2114	court shall direct that a predisposition study and report be
2115	2115	submitted in writing to the court by the department.
2116	2116	B. The predisposition study required pursuant to
2117	2117	Subsection A of this section shall contain the following
2118	2118	information:
2119	2119	(1) a statement of the specific reasons for
2120	2120	intervention by the department or for placing the child in the
2121	2121	department's custody and a statement of the parent's ability to
2122	2122	care for the child in the parent's home without causing harm to
2123	2123	the child;
2124	2124	(2) a statement of how an intervention plan is
2125	2125	designed to achieve placement of the child in the least
2126	2126	restrictive setting available, consistent with the best
2127	2127	interests and special needs of the child, including a statement
2128	2128	of the likely harm the child may suffer as a result of being
2129	2129	removed from the parent's home, including emotional harm that
2130	2130	.229811.3
2131	2131	- 40 - underscored material = new
2132	2132	[bracketed material] = delete
2133	2133	1
2134	2134	2
2135	2135	3
2136	2136	4
2137	2137	5
2138	2138	6
2139	2139	7
2140	2140	8
2141	2141	9
2142	2142	10
2143	2143	11
2144	2144	12
2145	2145	13
2146	2146	14
2147	2147	15
2148	2148	16
2149	2149	17
2150	2150	18
2151	2151	19
2152	2152	20
2153	2153	21
2154	2154	22
2155	2155	23
2156	2156	24
2157	2157	25
2158	2158	may result due to separation from the child's parents, and a
2159	2159	statement of how the intervention plan is designed to place the
2160	2160	child in close proximity to the parent's home without causing
2161	2161	harm to the child due to separation from parents, siblings or
2162	2162	any other person who may significantly affect the child's best
2163	2163	interest;
2164	2164	(3) the wishes of the child as to the child's
2165	2165	custodian;
2166	2166	(4) a statement of the efforts the department
2167	2167	has made to identify and locate all grandparents and other
2168	2168	relatives and to conduct home studies on any appropriate
2169	2169	relative expressing an interest in providing care for the
2170	2170	child, and a statement as to whether the child has a family
2171	2171	member who, subsequent to study by the department, is
2172	2172	determined to be qualified to care for the child;
2173	2173	(5) a description of services offered to the
2174	2174	child, the child's family and the child's foster care family,
2175	2175	which, if appropriate and available, may include families first
2176	2176	services provided pursuant to the Families First Act, as well
2177	2177	as referrals to income support or other services or programs ,
2178	2178	and a summary of reasonable efforts made to prevent removal of
2179	2179	the child from the child's family or reasonable efforts made to
2180	2180	reunite the child with the child's family;
2181	2181	(6) a description of the home or facility in
2182	2182	which the child is placed and the appropriateness of the
2183	2183	.229811.3
2184	2184	- 41 - underscored material = new
2185	2185	[bracketed material] = delete
2186	2186	1
2187	2187	2
2188	2188	3
2189	2189	4
2190	2190	5
2191	2191	6
2192	2192	7
2193	2193	8
2194	2194	9
2195	2195	10
2196	2196	11
2197	2197	12
2198	2198	13
2199	2199	14
2200	2200	15
2201	2201	16
2202	2202	17
2203	2203	18
2204	2204	19
2205	2205	20
2206	2206	21
2207	2207	22
2208	2208	23
2209	2209	24
2210	2210	25
2211	2211	child's placement;
2212	2212	(7) the results of any diagnostic examination
2213	2213	or evaluation ordered at the custody hearing;
2214	2214	(8) a statement of the child's medical and
2215	2215	educational background;
2216	2216	(9) a case plan that sets forth steps to
2217	2217	ensure that the child's physical, medical, cultural,
2218	2218	psychological and educational needs are met and that sets forth
2219	2219	services to be provided to the child and the child's parents to
2220	2220	facilitate permanent placement of the child in the parent's
2221	2221	home;
2222	2222	(10) for children sixteen years of age and
2223	2223	older, a plan for developing the specific skills the child
2224	2224	requires for successful transition into independent living as
2225	2225	an adult, regardless of whether the child is returned to the
2226	2226	child's parent's home;
2227	2227	(11) a case plan that sets forth steps to
2228	2228	ensure that the child's educational needs are met and, for a
2229	2229	child fourteen years of age or older, a case plan that
2230	2230	specifically sets forth the child's educational and post-
2231	2231	secondary goals; and
2232	2232	(12) a description of the child's foster care
2233	2233	placement and whether it is appropriate in terms of the
2234	2234	educational setting and proximity to the school the child was
2235	2235	enrolled in at the time of the placement, including plans for
2236	2236	.229811.3
2237	2237	- 42 - underscored material = new
2238	2238	[bracketed material] = delete
2239	2239	1
2240	2240	2
2241	2241	3
2242	2242	4
2243	2243	5
2244	2244	6
2245	2245	7
2246	2246	8
2247	2247	9
2248	2248	10
2249	2249	11
2250	2250	12
2251	2251	13
2252	2252	14
2253	2253	15
2254	2254	16
2255	2255	17
2256	2256	18
2257	2257	19
2258	2258	20
2259	2259	21
2260	2260	22
2261	2261	23
2262	2262	24
2263	2263	25
2264	2264	travel for the child to remain in the school in which the child
2265	2265	was enrolled at the time of placement, if reasonable and in the
2266	2266	child's best interest.
2267	2267	C. A copy of the predisposition report shall be
2268	2268	provided by the department to counsel for all parties five days
2269	2269	before the dispositional hearing.
2270	2270	D. If the child is an adjudicated abused child, any
2271	2271	temporary custody orders shall remain in effect until the court
2272	2272	has received and considered the predispositional study at the
2273	2273	dispositional hearing."
2274	2274	SECTION 15. Section 32A-4-33 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2275	2275	Chapter 77, Section 127, as amended) is amended to read:
2276	2276	"32A-4-33. CONFIDENTIALITY--RECORDS--PENALTY.--
2277	2277	A. All records or information concerning a party to
2278	2278	a neglect or abuse proceeding, including social records,
2279	2279	diagnostic evaluations, psychiatric or psychological reports,
2280	2280	videotapes, transcripts and audio recordings of a child's
2281	2281	statement of abuse or medical reports incident to or obtained
2282	2282	as a result of a neglect or abuse proceeding or that were
2283	2283	produced or obtained during an investigation in anticipation of
2284	2284	or incident to a neglect or abuse proceeding shall be
2285	2285	confidential and closed to the public.
2286	2286	B. The records described in Subsection A of this
2287	2287	section shall be disclosed only to the parties and:
2288	2288	(1) court personnel and persons or entities
2289	2289	.229811.3
2290	2290	- 43 - underscored material = new
2291	2291	[bracketed material] = delete
2292	2292	1
2293	2293	2
2294	2294	3
2295	2295	4
2296	2296	5
2297	2297	6
2298	2298	7
2299	2299	8
2300	2300	9
2301	2301	10
2302	2302	11
2303	2303	12
2304	2304	13
2305	2305	14
2306	2306	15
2307	2307	16
2308	2308	17
2309	2309	18
2310	2310	19
2311	2311	20
2312	2312	21
2313	2313	22
2314	2314	23
2315	2315	24
2316	2316	25
2317	2317	authorized by contract with the court to review, inspect or
2318	2318	otherwise have access to records or information in the court's
2319	2319	possession;
2320	2320	(2) court-appointed special advocates
2321	2321	appointed to the neglect or abuse proceeding;
2322	2322	(3) the child's guardian ad litem;
2323	2323	(4) the attorney representing the child in an
2324	2324	abuse or neglect action, a delinquency action or any other
2325	2325	action under the Children's Code;
2326	2326	(5) department personnel and persons or
2327	2327	entities authorized by contract with the department to review,
2328	2328	inspect or otherwise have access to records or information in
2329	2329	the department's possession;
2330	2330	(6) [any local substitute care review board or
2331	2331	any agency contracted to implement local substitute care review
2332	2332	boards] a staff member of the substitute care advisory council,
2333	2333	if the records are requested for the purpose of carrying out
2334	2334	the provisions of the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act ;
2335	2335	(7) law enforcement officials, except when use
2336	2336	immunity is granted pursuant to Section 32A-4-11 NMSA 1978;
2337	2337	(8) district attorneys, except when use
2338	2338	immunity is granted pursuant to Section 32A-4-11 NMSA 1978;
2339	2339	(9) any state government or tribal government
2340	2340	social services agency in any state or when, in the opinion of
2341	2341	the department, it is in the best interest of the child, a
2342	2342	.229811.3
2343	2343	- 44 - underscored material = new
2344	2344	[bracketed material] = delete
2345	2345	1
2346	2346	2
2347	2347	3
2348	2348	4
2349	2349	5
2350	2350	6
2351	2351	7
2352	2352	8
2353	2353	9
2354	2354	10
2355	2355	11
2356	2356	12
2357	2357	13
2358	2358	14
2359	2359	15
2360	2360	16
2361	2361	17
2362	2362	18
2363	2363	19
2364	2364	20
2365	2365	21
2366	2366	22
2367	2367	23
2368	2368	24
2369	2369	25
2370	2370	governmental social services agency of another country;
2371	2371	(10) a foster parent, if the records are those
2372	2372	of a child currently placed with that foster parent or of a
2373	2373	child being considered for placement with that foster parent
2374	2374	and the records concern the social, medical, psychological or
2375	2375	educational needs of the child;
2376	2376	(11) school personnel involved with the child
2377	2377	if the records concern the child's social or educational needs;
2378	2378	(12) a grandparent, parent of a sibling,
2379	2379	relative or fictive kin, if the records or information pertain
2380	2380	to a child being considered for placement with that
2381	2381	grandparent, parent of a sibling, relative or fictive kin and
2382	2382	the records or information concern the social, medical,
2383	2383	psychological or educational needs of the child;
2384	2384	(13) health care or mental health
2385	2385	professionals involved in the evaluation or treatment of the
2386	2386	child or of the child's parents, guardian, custodian or other
2387	2387	family members;
2388	2388	(14) protection and advocacy representatives
2389	2389	pursuant to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
2390	2390	and Bill of Rights Act and the federal Protection and Advocacy
2391	2391	for Mentally Ill Individuals Amendments Act of 1991;
2392	2392	(15) children's safehouse organizations
2393	2393	conducting investigatory interviews of children on behalf of a
2394	2394	law enforcement agency or the department;
2395	2395	.229811.3
2396	2396	- 45 - underscored material = new
2397	2397	[bracketed material] = delete
2398	2398	1
2399	2399	2
2400	2400	3
2401	2401	4
2402	2402	5
2403	2403	6
2404	2404	7
2405	2405	8
2406	2406	9
2407	2407	10
2408	2408	11
2409	2409	12
2410	2410	13
2411	2411	14
2412	2412	15
2413	2413	16
2414	2414	17
2415	2415	18
2416	2416	19
2417	2417	20
2418	2418	21
2419	2419	22
2420	2420	23
2421	2421	24
2422	2422	25
2423	2423	(16) representatives of the federal government
2424	2424	or their contractors authorized by federal statute or
2425	2425	regulation to review, inspect, audit or otherwise have access
2426	2426	to records and information pertaining to neglect or abuse
2427	2427	proceedings;
2428	2428	(17) any person or entity attending a meeting
2429	2429	arranged by the department to discuss the safety, well-being
2430	2430	and permanency of a child, when the parent or child, or parent
2431	2431	or legal custodian on behalf of a child younger than fourteen
2432	2432	years of age, has consented to the disclosure; and
2433	2433	(18) any other person or entity, by order of
2434	2434	the court, having a legitimate interest in the case or the work
2435	2435	of the court.
2436	2436	C. A parent, guardian or legal custodian whose
2437	2437	child has been the subject of an investigation of abuse or
2438	2438	neglect where no petition has been filed shall have the right
2439	2439	to inspect any medical report, psychological evaluation, law
2440	2440	enforcement reports or other investigative or diagnostic
2441	2441	evaluation; provided that any identifying information related
2442	2442	to the reporting party or any other party providing information
2443	2443	shall be deleted. The parent, guardian or legal custodian
2444	2444	shall also have the right to the results of the investigation
2445	2445	and the right to petition the court for full access to all
2446	2446	department records and information except those records and
2447	2447	information the department finds would be likely to endanger
2448	2448	.229811.3
2449	2449	- 46 - underscored material = new
2450	2450	[bracketed material] = delete
2451	2451	1
2452	2452	2
2453	2453	3
2454	2454	4
2455	2455	5
2456	2456	6
2457	2457	7
2458	2458	8
2459	2459	9
2460	2460	10
2461	2461	11
2462	2462	12
2463	2463	13
2464	2464	14
2465	2465	15
2466	2466	16
2467	2467	17
2468	2468	18
2469	2469	19
2470	2470	20
2471	2471	21
2472	2472	22
2473	2473	23
2474	2474	24
2475	2475	25
2476	2476	the life or safety of any person providing information to the
2477	2477	department.
2478	2478	D. Whoever intentionally and unlawfully releases
2479	2479	any information or records closed to the public pursuant to the
2480	2480	Abuse and Neglect Act or releases or makes other unlawful use
2481	2481	of records in violation of that act is guilty of a petty
2482	2482	misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions
2483	2483	of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
2484	2484	E. The department shall promulgate rules for
2485	2485	implementing disclosure of records pursuant to this section and
2486	2486	in compliance with state and federal law and the Children's
2487	2487	Court Rules."
2488	2488	SECTION 16. Section 32A-8-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2489	2489	Chapter 77, Section 204, as amended) is amended to read:
2490	2490	"32A-8-2. PURPOSE OF ACT.--The purpose of the Citizen
2491	2491	Substitute Care Review Act is to provide a permanent system for
2492	2492	independent and objective monitoring [of children placed in the
2493	2493	custody] of the department by examining the policies,
2494	2494	procedures and practices of the department and, where
2495	2495	appropriate, specific cases to evaluate [the extent to which
2496	2496	the department is effectively ] its effectiveness in discharging
2497	2497	its child protection responsibilities and to meet federal
2498	2498	requirements for citizen review panels under the federal Child
2499	2499	Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act ."
2500	2500	SECTION 17. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
2501	2501	.229811.3
2502	2502	- 47 - underscored material = new
2503	2503	[bracketed material] = delete
2504	2504	1
2505	2505	2
2506	2506	3
2507	2507	4
2508	2508	5
2509	2509	6
2510	2510	7
2511	2511	8
2512	2512	9
2513	2513	10
2514	2514	11
2515	2515	12
2516	2516	13
2517	2517	14
2518	2518	15
2519	2519	16
2520	2520	17
2521	2521	18
2522	2522	19
2523	2523	20
2524	2524	21
2525	2525	22
2526	2526	23
2527	2527	24
2528	2528	25
2529	2529	Review Act is enacted to read:
2530	2530	"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Citizen
2531	2531	Substitute Care Review Act:
2532	2532	A. "board" means a substitute care review board of
2533	2533	volunteer members facilitated by council staff convened for the
2534	2534	purpose of reviews of designated cases or other related
2535	2535	activities deemed appropriate by the council;
2536	2536	B. "case" means an abuse or neglect case referred
2537	2537	to the department;
2538	2538	C. "council" means the substitute care advisory
2539	2539	council;
2540	2540	D. "identified adult" means an adult participating
2541	2541	in the fostering connections program or that program's
2542	2542	successor;
2543	2543	E. "identified child" means a child who is:
2544	2544	(1) the subject of a referral of abuse and
2545	2545	neglect made to the department;
2546	2546	(2) receiving services from the department; or
2547	2547	(3) in the custody of the department due to
2548	2548	abuse and neglect proceedings;
2549	2549	F. "public member" means an individual who has been
2550	2550	appointed by the governor;
2551	2551	G. "substitute care" means custodial or residential
2552	2552	care for an identified child that is ordered or otherwise
2553	2553	sanctioned by the court and in which the child does not live
2554	2554	.229811.3
2555	2555	- 48 - underscored material = new
2556	2556	[bracketed material] = delete
2557	2557	1
2558	2558	2
2559	2559	3
2560	2560	4
2561	2561	5
2562	2562	6
2563	2563	7
2564	2564	8
2565	2565	9
2566	2566	10
2567	2567	11
2568	2568	12
2569	2569	13
2570	2570	14
2571	2571	15
2572	2572	16
2573	2573	17
2574	2574	18
2575	2575	19
2576	2576	20
2577	2577	21
2578	2578	22
2579	2579	23
2580	2580	24
2581	2581	25
2582	2582	with either of the child's birth parents. "Substitute care"
2583	2583	includes foster care, kinship care or care within a group home,
2584	2584	residential treatment center, juvenile justice facility, semi-
2585	2585	independent living program or emergency shelter; and
2586	2586	H. "volunteer member" means an individual who has
2587	2587	met eligibility requirements to perform volunteer services for
2588	2588	the council."
2589	2589	SECTION 18. Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2590	2590	Chapter 77, Section 206, as amended) is amended to read:
2591	2591	"32A-8-4. SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL--MEMBERS--
2592	2592	COMPENSATION--RESPONSIBILITIES--ADVISORY COMMITTEE.--
2593	2593	A. The "substitute care advisory council" is
2594	2594	created [and, in accordance with the provisions of Section
2595	2595	9-1-7 NMSA 1978, is administratively attached to the regulation
2596	2596	and licensing department. The general purpose of the council
2597	2597	is to oversee substitute care review boards in their monitoring
2598	2598	of children placed in the custody of the children, youth and
2599	2599	families department to identify systemic policy issues
2600	2600	regarding substitute care ] in the administrative office of the
2601	2601	courts. The council shall exercise its functions independently
2602	2602	and not under the control of the administrative office of the
2603	2603	courts. The council shall be composed of [nine persons ] ten
2604	2604	voting members, including:
2605	2605	(1) the secretary of public education or the
2606	2606	secretary's designee;
2607	2607	.229811.3
2608	2608	- 49 - underscored material = new
2609	2609	[bracketed material] = delete
2610	2610	1
2611	2611	2
2612	2612	3
2613	2613	4
2614	2614	5
2615	2615	6
2616	2616	7
2617	2617	8
2618	2618	9
2619	2619	10
2620	2620	11
2621	2621	12
2622	2622	13
2623	2623	14
2624	2624	15
2625	2625	16
2626	2626	17
2627	2627	18
2628	2628	19
2629	2629	20
2630	2630	21
2631	2631	22
2632	2632	23
2633	2633	24
2634	2634	25
2635	2635	(2) the secretary of [human services ] health
2636	2636	care authority or the secretary's designee;
2637	2637	(3) the secretary of finance and
2638	2638	administration or the secretary's designee;
2639	2639	(4) the secretary of health or the secretary's
2640	2640	designee;
2641	2641	[(5) two public members, appointed by the
2642	2642	governor, who:
2643	2643	(a) are at least eighteen and no more
2644	2644	than thirty years of age at the time of appointment; and
2645	2645	(b) were previously placed in substitute
2646	2646	care;
2647	2647	(6) two public members, appointed by the
2648	2648	governor, who have expertise in the area of child welfare; and ]
2649	2649	(5) the secretary of early childhood education
2650	2650	and care or the secretary's designee;
2651	2651	[(7)] (6) one children's court judge,
2652	2652	appointed by the governor; and
2653	2653	(7) four public members, two of whom have
2654	2654	expertise in the area of child welfare and two of whom have had
2655	2655	experience in abuse and neglect proceedings, including former
2656	2656	foster youth, biological parents, foster parents and adoptive
2657	2657	parents.
2658	2658	B. [The council may hire staff and contract for
2659	2659	services to carry out the purposes of the Citizen Substitute
2660	2660	.229811.3
2661	2661	- 50 - underscored material = new
2662	2662	[bracketed material] = delete
2663	2663	1
2664	2664	2
2665	2665	3
2666	2666	4
2667	2667	5
2668	2668	6
2669	2669	7
2670	2670	8
2671	2671	9
2672	2672	10
2673	2673	11
2674	2674	12
2675	2675	13
2676	2676	14
2677	2677	15
2678	2678	16
2679	2679	17
2680	2680	18
2681	2681	19
2682	2682	20
2683	2683	21
2684	2684	22
2685	2685	23
2686	2686	24
2687	2687	25
2688	2688	Care Review Act.] The secretary of children, youth and families
2689	2689	or the secretary's designee shall serve as a nonvoting member.
2690	2690	C. Except as provided pursuant to Paragraph [(7) ]
2691	2691	(6) of Subsection A and Subsection B of this section, a person
2692	2692	or a relative of a person employed by the department or a
2693	2693	district court shall not serve on the council.
2694	2694	[C.] D. Terms of office of public members of the
2695	2695	council shall be three years. Public members shall be eligible
2696	2696	for reappointment. In the event that a vacancy occurs among
2697	2697	the members of the council, the governor shall appoint another
2698	2698	person to serve the unexpired portion of the term.
2699	2699	E. A member of the council shall be entitled to
2700	2700	receive per diem and mileage as provided for nonsalaried public
2701	2701	officers pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act; provided
2702	2702	that, if a different provision of that act applies to a member,
2703	2703	that member shall be paid pursuant to that provision. A member
2704	2704	of the council shall receive no other compensation, perquisite
2705	2705	or allowance.
2706	2706	[D.] F. The council shall select a chairperson, a
2707	2707	vice chairperson and other officers as it deems necessary.
2708	2708	[E.] G. The council shall meet no less than [twice
2709	2709	annually] quarterly and more frequently upon the call of the
2710	2710	chairperson.
2711	2711	H. The council shall, on or before October 1 of
2712	2712	each year, designate cases for review that involve children in
2713	2713	.229811.3
2714	2714	- 51 - underscored material = new
2715	2715	[bracketed material] = delete
2716	2716	1
2717	2717	2
2718	2718	3
2719	2719	4
2720	2720	5
2721	2721	6
2722	2722	7
2723	2723	8
2724	2724	9
2725	2725	10
2726	2726	11
2727	2727	12
2728	2728	13
2729	2729	14
2730	2730	15
2731	2731	16
2732	2732	17
2733	2733	18
2734	2734	19
2735	2735	20
2736	2736	21
2737	2737	22
2738	2738	23
2739	2739	24
2740	2740	25
2741	2741	substitute care who:
2742	2742	(1) are under the age of five; or
2743	2743	(2) have remained in substitute care for
2744	2744	longer than six months.
2745	2745	I. The council may establish work groups and enter
2746	2746	into contracts, memoranda of understanding and joint powers
2747	2747	agreements to carry out the provisions of the Citizen
2748	2748	Substitute Care Review Act.
2749	2749	[F.] J. The council shall adopt reasonable rules
2750	2750	relating to the functions and procedures of [the substitute
2751	2751	care review boards and ] the council [in accordance with the
2752	2752	duties of the boards as provided in the Citizen Substitute Care
2753	2753	Review Act]. These rules shall establish :
2754	2754	[(1) establish training requirements for
2755	2755	substitute care review board members;
2756	2756	(2) establish criteria for council designation
2757	2757	of cases for substitute care review board review;
2758	2758	(3) establish procedures for substitute care
2759	2759	review board review of designated cases;
2760	2760	(4) establish criteria for membership and
2761	2761	tenure on and operating procedures for substitute care review
2762	2762	boards;
2763	2763	(5) specify the information needed for
2764	2764	designated cases to be monitored by substitute care review
2765	2765	boards; and
2766	2766	.229811.3
2767	2767	- 52 - underscored material = new
2768	2768	[bracketed material] = delete
2769	2769	1
2770	2770	2
2771	2771	3
2772	2772	4
2773	2773	5
2774	2774	6
2775	2775	7
2776	2776	8
2777	2777	9
2778	2778	10
2779	2779	11
2780	2780	12
2781	2781	13
2782	2782	14
2783	2783	15
2784	2784	16
2785	2785	17
2786	2786	18
2787	2787	19
2788	2788	20
2789	2789	21
2790	2790	22
2791	2791	23
2792	2792	24
2793	2793	25
2794	2794	(6) specify case information to be tracked and
2795	2795	reported to the council.
2796	2796	G. When adopting rules establishing criteria for
2797	2797	designation of cases for substitute care review board review,
2798	2798	the council shall weigh the importance of the following
2799	2799	factors, including:
2800	2800	(1) sibling placements;
2801	2801	(2) the frequency and severity of neglect or
2802	2802	abuse;
2803	2803	(3) the behavioral health status of household
2804	2804	members;
2805	2805	(4) the placement of children in households
2806	2806	where there are no relatives of the children;
2807	2807	(5) data related to demographics; and
2808	2808	(6) relevant trend data ]
2809	2809	(1) procedures to ensure compliance with the
2810	2810	Open Meetings Act;
2811	2811	(2) initial and annual training requirements
2812	2812	for council staff;
2813	2813	(3) requirements for public participation,
2814	2814	including participation on work groups and boards;
2815	2815	(4) procedures for the council's review of
2816	2816	designated cases;
2817	2817	(5) procedures to provide for public outreach
2818	2818	and public comment to assess the impact of current child
2819	2819	.229811.3
2820	2820	- 53 - underscored material = new
2821	2821	[bracketed material] = delete
2822	2822	1
2823	2823	2
2824	2824	3
2825	2825	4
2826	2826	5
2827	2827	6
2828	2828	7
2829	2829	8
2830	2830	9
2831	2831	10
2832	2832	11
2833	2833	12
2834	2834	13
2835	2835	14
2836	2836	15
2837	2837	16
2838	2838	17
2839	2839	18
2840	2840	19
2841	2841	20
2842	2842	21
2843	2843	22
2844	2844	23
2845	2845	24
2846	2846	25
2847	2847	protection procedures and practices on children and families in
2848	2848	the community; and
2849	2849	(6) other procedures to provide for compliance
2850	2850	with the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act and the federal
2851	2851	Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as it relates to
2852	2852	citizen review panels .
2853	2853	[H.] K. The council shall [review and coordinate
2854	2854	the activities of the substitute care review boards and make a
2855	2855	report with its recommendations to the department, the courts
2856	2856	and the appropriate legislative interim committees ] provide
2857	2857	periodic reports on the work of the council, including an
2858	2858	annual written report to the governor, the appropriate
2859	2859	legislative interim committee studying courts, corrections and
2860	2860	justice, the legislative finance committee, the legislative
2861	2861	health and human services committee, the department, the
2862	2862	administrative office of the courts and other persons,
2863	2863	organizations or agencies deemed appropriate. The annual
2864	2864	report shall be distributed electronically on or before
2865	2865	November 1 of each year [regarding statutes, rules, policies
2866	2866	and procedures relating to substitute care ]. This report shall
2867	2867	include [recommendations for any changes to substitute care
2868	2868	review boards.
2869	2869	I. Council members shall receive per diem and
2870	2870	mileage as provided for nonsalaried public officers in the Per
2871	2871	Diem and Mileage Act; provided that, if a different provision
2872	2872	.229811.3
2873	2873	- 54 - underscored material = new
2874	2874	[bracketed material] = delete
2875	2875	1
2876	2876	2
2877	2877	3
2878	2878	4
2879	2879	5
2880	2880	6
2881	2881	7
2882	2882	8
2883	2883	9
2884	2884	10
2885	2885	11
2886	2886	12
2887	2887	13
2888	2888	14
2889	2889	15
2890	2890	16
2891	2891	17
2892	2892	18
2893	2893	19
2894	2894	20
2895	2895	21
2896	2896	22
2897	2897	23
2898	2898	24
2899	2899	25
2900	2900	of that act applies to a specific member, that member shall be
2901	2901	paid pursuant to that applicable provision. Members shall
2902	2902	receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
2903	2903	J. The council shall appoint by October 1 of each
2904	2904	year a six-member advisory committee from a list of substitute
2905	2905	care review board members that the substitute care review
2906	2906	boards shall nominate. The advisory council shall meet with
2907	2907	the council at least once per year to advise the council on
2908	2908	matters relating to substitute care review. Advisory committee
2909	2909	members shall serve terms of one year and may be reappointed ] a
2910	2910	summary of the activities of the council and recommendations to
2911	2911	improve child protective services at the state and local
2912	2912	levels. Other reports regarding trends or topics deemed
2913	2913	necessary by the council may be provided to the governor, the
2914	2914	legislature, the department and the administrative office of
2915	2915	the courts."
2916	2916	SECTION 19. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
2917	2917	Review Act is enacted to read:
2918	2918	"[NEW MATERIAL] COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION--STAFFING.--
2919	2919	A. The council shall hire a director who:
2920	2920	(1) shall oversee, manage and direct
2921	2921	processing of cases filed or reviewed pursuant to the Citizen
2922	2922	Substitute Care Review Act, provide administrative support to
2923	2923	the council and conduct any other activities as deemed
2924	2924	necessary by the council to support its functions;
2925	2925	.229811.3
2926	2926	- 55 - underscored material = new
2927	2927	[bracketed material] = delete
2928	2928	1
2929	2929	2
2930	2930	3
2931	2931	4
2932	2932	5
2933	2933	6
2934	2934	7
2935	2935	8
2936	2936	9
2937	2937	10
2938	2938	11
2939	2939	12
2940	2940	13
2941	2941	14
2942	2942	15
2943	2943	16
2944	2944	17
2945	2945	18
2946	2946	19
2947	2947	20
2948	2948	21
2949	2949	22
2950	2950	23
2951	2951	24
2952	2952	25
2953	2953	(2) shall act impartially in a nonpartisan
2954	2954	manner;
2955	2955	(3) shall promote public awareness of the
2956	2956	purpose and services of the council and the methods for
2957	2957	submitting requests for case review;
2958	2958	(4) shall employ staff for the council and fix
2959	2959	compensation of the staff;
2960	2960	(5) shall prepare a budgetary request to be
2961	2961	submitted through the administrative office of the courts; and
2962	2962	(6) may apply for and accept grants, gifts and
2963	2963	bequests from other states, federal and interstate agencies,
2964	2964	independent authorities, private firms, individuals and
2965	2965	foundations for the purpose of carrying out the
2966	2966	responsibilities of the council.
2967	2967	B. The director shall possess the following
2968	2968	qualifications:
2969	2969	(1) a master's degree in social work and
2970	2970	possession of a license issued pursuant to the Social Work
2971	2971	Practice Act; or
2972	2972	(2) an active license to practice law issued
2973	2973	pursuant to rules promulgated by the supreme court; and
2974	2974	(3) at least five years' experience in child
2975	2975	welfare, with an emphasis on child abuse and neglect prevention
2976	2976	or abatement.
2977	2977	C. The director shall hire staff to carry out the
2978	2978	.229811.3
2979	2979	- 56 - underscored material = new
2980	2980	[bracketed material] = delete
2981	2981	1
2982	2982	2
2983	2983	3
2984	2984	4
2985	2985	5
2986	2986	6
2987	2987	7
2988	2988	8
2989	2989	9
2990	2990	10
2991	2991	11
2992	2992	12
2993	2993	13
2994	2994	14
2995	2995	15
2996	2996	16
2997	2997	17
2998	2998	18
2999	2999	19
3000	3000	20
3001	3001	21
3002	3002	22
3003	3003	23
3004	3004	24
3005	3005	25
3006	3006	purposes of the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act, including
3007	3007	review of cases. Council staff providing professional services
3008	3008	shall possess:
3009	3009	(1) a bachelor's degree in social work,
3010	3010	psychology, guidance and counseling, education, sociology,
3011	3011	criminal justice, criminology or family studies and at least
3012	3012	two years of experience in child welfare administration with an
3013	3013	emphasis on child abuse and neglect prevention or abatement; or
3014	3014	(2) at least four years of experience combined
3015	3015	from:
3016	3016	(a) study at an accredited college or
3017	3017	university in a field related to child welfare; or
3018	3018	(b) professional experience working in
3019	3019	the field of child welfare.
3020	3020	D. Council staff shall be required to complete
3021	3021	annual training directly relating to enhancing staff
3022	3022	proficiency, meeting job requirements and conducting case
3023	3023	reviews required pursuant to the Citizen Substitute Care Review
3024	3024	Act."
3025	3025	SECTION 20. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3026	3026	Review Act is enacted to read:
3027	3027	"[NEW MATERIAL] ATTORNEY GENERAL REPRESENTATION AND
3028	3028	CONSULTATION.--The attorney general shall advise and consult
3029	3029	with the council, acting pursuant to the Citizen Substitute
3030	3030	Care Review Act, and render legal services upon request of the
3031	3031	.229811.3
3032	3032	- 57 - underscored material = new
3033	3033	[bracketed material] = delete
3034	3034	1
3035	3035	2
3036	3036	3
3037	3037	4
3038	3038	5
3039	3039	6
3040	3040	7
3041	3041	8
3042	3042	9
3043	3043	10
3044	3044	11
3045	3045	12
3046	3046	13
3047	3047	14
3048	3048	15
3049	3049	16
3050	3050	17
3051	3051	18
3052	3052	19
3053	3053	20
3054	3054	21
3055	3055	22
3056	3056	23
3057	3057	24
3058	3058	25
3059	3059	council."
3060	3060	SECTION 21. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3061	3061	Review Act is enacted to read:
3062	3062	"[NEW MATERIAL] VOLUNTEER MEMBER PARTICIPATION--RULES.--
3063	3063	A. The council shall promulgate rules relating to
3064	3064	volunteer member participation, which shall include provisions
3065	3065	for:
3066	3066	(1) efforts to recruit and retain volunteer
3067	3067	members who are broadly representative of the communities in
3068	3068	which they serve and to include volunteer members with
3069	3069	expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and
3070	3070	neglect and adult former victims of child abuse or neglect;
3071	3071	(2) a membership process that includes
3072	3072	background checks and orientation training;
3073	3073	(3) ongoing training requirements;
3074	3074	(4) procedures to address actual, perceived or
3075	3075	possible conflicts of interest;
3076	3076	(5) a code of conduct; and
3077	3077	(6) procedures to maintain confidentiality of
3078	3078	information required to be kept confidential as required by
3079	3079	law.
3080	3080	B. Each volunteer member who meets the requirements
3081	3081	established by council rules shall participate at least once
3082	3082	quarterly in case reviews and other activities deemed
3083	3083	appropriate by council staff.
3084	3084	.229811.3
3085	3085	- 58 - underscored material = new
3086	3086	[bracketed material] = delete
3087	3087	1
3088	3088	2
3089	3089	3
3090	3090	4
3091	3091	5
3092	3092	6
3093	3093	7
3094	3094	8
3095	3095	9
3096	3096	10
3097	3097	11
3098	3098	12
3099	3099	13
3100	3100	14
3101	3101	15
3102	3102	16
3103	3103	17
3104	3104	18
3105	3105	19
3106	3106	20
3107	3107	21
3108	3108	22
3109	3109	23
3110	3110	24
3111	3111	25
3112	3112	C. Volunteer members may receive per diem and
3113	3113	mileage as provided for nonsalaried public officers in the Per
3114	3114	Diem and Mileage Act; provided that if a different provision of
3115	3115	that act applies to a specific member, that member shall be
3116	3116	paid pursuant to that applicable provision. Members shall
3117	3117	receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance."
3118	3118	SECTION 22. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3119	3119	Review Act is enacted to read:
3120	3120	"[NEW MATERIAL] SUBSTITUTE CARE REVIEW BOARD
3121	3121	ESTABLISHMENT--CASE REVIEW.--
3122	3122	A. The council shall establish boards composed
3123	3123	entirely of volunteer members to review cases designated in
3124	3124	accordance with council rules.
3125	3125	B. When a case has been designated for review
3126	3126	pursuant to Subsection H of Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978, the
3127	3127	staff of the council shall convene a board to review the case.
3128	3128	C. If a case reviewed by a board is a children's
3129	3129	court case, the staff of the council shall give the parties to
3130	3130	the case notice of the review and afford the parties to the
3131	3131	case an opportunity to provide input relevant to the review.
3132	3132	If the case involves an Indian child, notice shall additionally
3133	3133	be provided to persons afforded notice pursuant to the Indian
3134	3134	Family Protection Act.
3135	3135	D. After a board's review of a children's court
3136	3136	case, council staff shall submit a report of the board's
3137	3137	.229811.3
3138	3138	- 59 - underscored material = new
3139	3139	[bracketed material] = delete
3140	3140	1
3141	3141	2
3142	3142	3
3143	3143	4
3144	3144	5
3145	3145	6
3146	3146	7
3147	3147	8
3148	3148	9
3149	3149	10
3150	3150	11
3151	3151	12
3152	3152	13
3153	3153	14
3154	3154	15
3155	3155	16
3156	3156	17
3157	3157	18
3158	3158	19
3159	3159	20
3160	3160	21
3161	3161	22
3162	3162	23
3163	3163	24
3164	3164	25
3165	3165	findings and recommendations to the children's court, the
3166	3166	department and the parties to the case. If the case involves
3167	3167	an Indian child, the report shall additionally be provided to
3168	3168	persons afforded notice pursuant to the Indian Family
3169	3169	Protection Act.
3170	3170	E. The department shall:
3171	3171	(1) acknowledge receipt of the report within
3172	3172	ten business days; and
3173	3173	(2) within thirty days of receipt, provide a
3174	3174	response to the board's findings and recommendations, including
3175	3175	plans for adopting the recommendations or taking alternative
3176	3176	action.
3177	3177	F. Council staff and the department shall meet
3178	3178	quarterly, or as needed to work toward mutually agreed-upon
3179	3179	outcomes."
3180	3180	SECTION 23. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3181	3181	Review Act is enacted to read:
3182	3182	"[NEW MATERIAL] ACCESS TO RECORDS.--
3183	3183	A. Subject to state or federal law to the contrary,
3184	3184	council staff shall have access to, including the right to
3185	3185	inspect and copy, any records necessary to carry out council
3186	3186	responsibilities, including access to the following:
3187	3187	(1) social records, diagnostic evaluations,
3188	3188	psychiatric or psychological reports, video footage,
3189	3189	transcripts and audio records of a child's statement of abuse
3190	3190	.229811.3
3191	3191	- 60 - underscored material = new
3192	3192	[bracketed material] = delete
3193	3193	1
3194	3194	2
3195	3195	3
3196	3196	4
3197	3197	5
3198	3198	6
3199	3199	7
3200	3200	8
3201	3201	9
3202	3202	10
3203	3203	11
3204	3204	12
3205	3205	13
3206	3206	14
3207	3207	15
3208	3208	16
3209	3209	17
3210	3210	18
3211	3211	19
3212	3212	20
3213	3213	21
3214	3214	22
3215	3215	23
3216	3216	24
3217	3217	25
3218	3218	or medical reports incident to an abuse or neglect proceeding;
3219	3219	(2) a record of an agency, hospital,
3220	3220	organization, school, person or office, including the clerk of
3221	3221	the court, the department, a court-appointed special advocate
3222	3222	program, a public or private health care facility, a medical or
3223	3223	mental health care professional, a law enforcement agency or
3224	3224	other agency that provides services to children and families;
3225	3225	(3) a record of an administrative hearing
3226	3226	conducted by the department and any findings or conclusions
3227	3227	resulting from such hearing; and
3228	3228	(4) a record of a private meeting with a child
3229	3229	in protective custody or with an individual with knowledge of
3230	3230	the case or grievance.
3231	3231	B. The department shall establish procedures to
3232	3232	provide the requested records in a timely manner.
3233	3233	C. The department shall:
3234	3234	(1) establish procedures to provide the
3235	3235	requested records in a timely manner and to ensure staff
3236	3236	availability to provide input for case reviews; and
3237	3237	(2) ensure that its agents and contractors
3238	3238	provide requested records in a timely manner and ensure staff
3239	3239	availability to provide input for case reviews.
3240	3240	D. The department or its agent or contractor shall
3241	3241	not discharge, discriminate against in any manner or retaliate
3242	3242	against an employee, volunteer or contractor who, in good
3243	3243	.229811.3
3244	3244	- 61 - underscored material = new
3245	3245	[bracketed material] = delete
3246	3246	1
3247	3247	2
3248	3248	3
3249	3249	4
3250	3250	5
3251	3251	6
3252	3252	7
3253	3253	8
3254	3254	9
3255	3255	10
3256	3256	11
3257	3257	12
3258	3258	13
3259	3259	14
3260	3260	15
3261	3261	16
3262	3262	17
3263	3263	18
3264	3264	19
3265	3265	20
3266	3266	21
3267	3267	22
3268	3268	23
3269	3269	24
3270	3270	25
3271	3271	faith, communicates with the council about a case review or
3272	3272	provision of records pursuant to this section."
3273	3273	SECTION 24. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3274	3274	Review Act is enacted to read:
3275	3275	"[NEW MATERIAL] CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.--
3276	3276	A. Information obtained or generated by a member of
3277	3277	the council, a staff member of the council or a member of a
3278	3278	board for the purpose of performing duties in compliance with
3279	3279	the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act is not subject to the
3280	3280	provisions of the Inspection of Public Records Act.
3281	3281	B. The name, address or other personally
3282	3282	identifiable information of a person whose records are released
3283	3283	to council staff are confidential.
3284	3284	C. A member of the council, a staff member of the
3285	3285	council or a member of a board with knowledge of a case that
3286	3286	was obtained pursuant to the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act
3287	3287	shall maintain that information as confidential unless:
3288	3288	(1) the identified child or identified adult
3289	3289	who is the subject of the case consents in writing to
3290	3290	disclosure of that information to another person;
3291	3291	(2) the identified child or identified adult
3292	3292	who is the subject of the case provides oral consent for
3293	3293	disclosure to another person that is immediately documented in
3294	3294	writing by council staff; or
3295	3295	(3) disclosure is ordered by a court."
3296	3296	.229811.3
3297	3297	- 62 - underscored material = new
3298	3298	[bracketed material] = delete
3299	3299	1
3300	3300	2
3301	3301	3
3302	3302	4
3303	3303	5
3304	3304	6
3305	3305	7
3306	3306	8
3307	3307	9
3308	3308	10
3309	3309	11
3310	3310	12
3311	3311	13
3312	3312	14
3313	3313	15
3314	3314	16
3315	3315	17
3316	3316	18
3317	3317	19
3318	3318	20
3319	3319	21
3320	3320	22
3321	3321	23
3322	3322	24
3323	3323	25
3324	3324	SECTION 25. TEMPORARY PROVISION.--On July 1, 2025:
3325	3325	A. the functions, employees, money, appropriations,
3326	3326	records, equipment and other property of the regulation and
3327	3327	licensing department pertaining to the substitute advisory care
3328	3328	council shall be transferred from the regulation and licensing
3329	3329	department to the administrative office of the courts;
3330	3330	B. all contractual obligations pertaining to the
3331	3331	substitute advisory care council shall be deemed to be
3332	3332	contractual obligations of the administrative office of the
3333	3333	courts; and
3334	3334	C. statutory references to the substitute advisory
3335	3335	care council or other functions transferred from the
3336	3336	registration and licensing department to the administrative
3337	3337	office of the courts shall be deemed to be references to the
3338	3338	administrative office of the courts.
3339	3339	SECTION 26. REPEAL.--Sections 32A-8-5 and 32A-8-6 NMSA
3340	3340	1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Sections 207 and 208, as
3341	3341	amended) are repealed.
3342	3342	SECTION 27. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
3343	3343	provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
3344	3344	- 63 -
3345	3345	.229811.3