New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

New Mexico House Bill HB345 Compare Versions

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

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28	28	HOUSE BILL 345
29	29	57
30	30	TH LEGISLATURE
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33	33	STATE
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35	35	OF
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39	39	MEXICO
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42	42	FIRST SESSION
43	43	,
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45	45	2025
46	46	INTRODUCED BY
47	47	Gail Armstrong and Nicole Chavez
48	48	AN ACT
49	49	RELATING TO CHILDREN; REQUIRING THAT A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
50	50	ASSESSMENT BE CONDUCTED FOR A CHILD PRIOR TO THE CHILD ENTERING
51	51	FOSTER CARE; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.
52	52	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
53	53	SECTION 1. Section 32A-3B-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
54	54	Chapter 77, Section 78, as amended) is amended to read:
55	55	"32A-3B-6. PLACE OF CUSTODY--FOSTER CARE--BEHAVIORAL
56	56	HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED .--
57	57	A. Unless a child from a family in need of services
58	58	who has been placed in department custody is also alleged or
59	59	adjudicated delinquent:
60	60	(1) the child shall not be held in a jail or
61	61	other facility intended or used for the incarceration of adults
62	62	charged with criminal offenses or for the detention of children
63	63	.229672.1 underscored material = new
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90	90	alleged to be delinquent children; and
91	91	(2) there shall be a preference that the child
92	92	be placed in the home of a relative of the child when a
93	93	relative is available to provide foster care; provided that:
94	94	(a) placement with a relative is in the
95	95	best interest of the child;
96	96	(b) the relative signs a sworn statement
97	97	that the relative will not return the child to or allow
98	98	unsupervised visits with the parent, guardian or custodian who
99	99	is alleged to have committed the abuse or neglect until
100	100	otherwise directed by the department or the court; and
101	101	(c) within three days of accepting
102	102	custody of the child, the relative completes an application
103	103	form for licensure to operate a foster home pursuant to the
104	104	Children's Code.
105	105	B. The department shall make reasonable efforts to
106	106	locate a relative of the child to provide foster care. If a
107	107	relative is not available to provide foster care, the child may
108	108	be placed in:
109	109	(1) a licensed foster home or any home
110	110	authorized under the law for the provision of foster care or
111	111	group care or use as a protective residence;
112	112	(2) a facility operated by a licensed child
113	113	welfare services agency; or
114	114	(3) a facility provided for in the Children's
115	115	.229672.1
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143	143	Shelter Care Act.
144	144	C. Within forty-five days of placing a child into
145	145	foster care, the department shall:
146	146	(1) provide for the child to receive a child
147	147	and adolescent needs and strengths trauma assessment; and
148	148	(2) provide referrals to appropriate
149	149	behavioral health services based on the child's assessment. "
150	150	SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
151	151	provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
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153	153	.229672.1