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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 5
57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Eleanor Chávez
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY ADDING A
NEW SECTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF THE CHILDREN, YOUTH
AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT, A CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
COMMISSION AND AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO ASSUME THE MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS OF THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT
AND ENFORCE THE LAWS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S JURISDICTION.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend the constitution of
New Mexico by adding a new section to read:
"A. The "children, youth and families commission"
and "children, youth and families department" are created and
shall each have such powers and duties as provided by law.
B. The children, youth and families commission
consists of five members who shall be appointed for six-year
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terms. Beginning January 1, 2027, the governor, the president
pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of
representatives, the minority floor leader of the senate and
the minority floor leader of the house of representatives shall
each appoint one member as provided by law. For the initial
appointment of commission members, the member appointed by the
governor shall serve for a term of two years and the members
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, the
president pro tempore of the senate, the minority floor leader
of the senate and the minority floor leader of the house of
representatives shall each serve a term of four years.
Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by the original
appointing authority, and a person appointed to fill a vacancy
shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members
of the children, youth and families commission shall only be
removed as provided by law. The legislature shall provide by
law for the professional qualifications for members of the
children, youth and families commission.
C. No later than July 1, 2027, the children, youth
and families commission shall hire an executive director to
assume the management and operations of the children, youth and
families department and enforce the laws under the jurisdiction
of the children, youth and families department. The
legislature shall provide by law for the professional
qualifications of the executive director of the children, youth
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and families commission."
SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection at the next general election or at any special
election prior to that date that may be called for that
purpose.
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