New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

New Mexico Senate Bill SB458 Compare Versions

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

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28	28	SENATE BILL 458
29	29	57
30	30	TH LEGISLATURE
31	31	-
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33	33	STATE
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35	35	OF
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37	37	NEW
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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	Linda M. Trujillo
48	48	AN ACT
49	49	RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE; CREATING THE SECRETARY OF CHILDREN,
50	50	YOUTH AND FAMILIES NOMINATING COMMITTEE; REQUIRING THE
51	51	SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO BE SELECTED FROM A
52	52	LIST OF QUALIFIED NOMINEES CREATED BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE;
53	53	MOVING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY FOR THE PLAN OF SAFE CARE PROCESS
54	54	FROM THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO THE HEALTH
55	55	CARE AUTHORITY; UPDATING REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANS OF SAFE CARE;
56	56	REQUIRING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO
57	57	IMPLEMENT THE MULTILEVEL RESPONSE SYSTEM STATEWIDE; ENACTING
58	58	THE FAMILIES FIRST ACT WITHIN THE CHILDREN'S CODE; REQUIRING
59	59	THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND
60	60	IMPLEMENT A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR APPROVAL BY THE FEDERAL
61	61	ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; REQUIRING PROVISIONS
62	62	OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE FOSTER CARE
63	63	PREVENTION SERVICES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL
64	64	.229279.5 underscored material = new
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91	91	FAMILY FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT; PROVIDING FOR CHILDREN,
92	92	YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT CONSULTATION WITH THE EARLY
93	93	CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTH CARE
94	94	AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; PROVIDING STRATEGIC
95	95	PLAN REQUIREMENTS; TRANSFERRING THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY
96	96	COUNCIL FROM THE REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT TO THE
97	97	ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS; DEFINING TERMS IN THE
98	98	CITIZEN SUBSTITUTE CARE REVIEW ACT; PROVIDING FOR STAFFING OF
99	99	THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL; ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR
100	100	CASE REVIEW; PROVIDING FOR RULES PERTAINING TO VOLUNTEER
101	101	MEMBERS; PROVIDING ACCESS TO AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
102	102	CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN RECORDS AND INFORMATION; CHANGING
103	103	REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; REQUIRING THE SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY
104	104	COUNCIL TO PROVIDE THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT
105	105	WITH CASE REPORTS; REQUIRING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
106	106	DEPARTMENT TO RESPOND TO CASE REPORTS; REQUIRING THE SUBSTITUTE
107	107	CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL STAFF AND THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND
108	108	FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO MEET QUARTERLY; TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEES,
109	109	PROPERTY AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS; AMENDING, REPEALING AND
110	110	ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.
111	111	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
112	112	SECTION 1. Section 9-2A-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
113	113	Chapter 57, Section 3) is amended to read:
114	114	"9-2A-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Children, Youth and
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143	143	Families Department Act:
144	144	A. "department" means the children, youth and
145	145	families department; [and ]
146	146	B. "nominating committee" means the secretary of
147	147	children, youth and families nominating committee; and
148	148	[B.] C. "secretary" means the secretary of
149	149	children, youth and families."
150	150	SECTION 2. Section 9-2A-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
151	151	Chapter 57, Section 6) is amended to read:
152	152	"9-2A-6. SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES--
153	153	APPOINTMENT.--
154	154	A. The chief executive and administrative officer
155	155	of the department is the "secretary of children, youth and
156	156	families". The secretary shall be appointed by the governor
157	157	with the consent of the senate and shall be selected from a
158	158	list of qualified nominees submitted to the governor by the
159	159	nominating committee. The secretary shall hold office at the
160	160	pleasure of the governor and shall serve in the executive
161	161	cabinet.
162	162	B. An appointed secretary shall serve and have all
163	163	the duties, responsibilities and authority of that office
164	164	during the period of time prior to final action by the senate
165	165	confirming or rejecting [his ] the appointment."
166	166	SECTION 3. A new section of the Children, Youth and
167	167	Families Department Act, Section 9-2A-6.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted
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196	196	to read:
197	197	"9-2A-6.1. [NEW MATERIAL ] SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH
198	198	AND FAMILIES NOMINATING COMMITTEE.--
199	199	A. The "secretary of children, youth and families
200	200	nominating committee" is created and consists of nine members
201	201	who are:
202	202	(1) knowledgeable about child welfare;
203	203	(2) not recipients of contracts or other forms
204	204	of compensation from the department;
205	205	(3) not applicants or nominees for the
206	206	secretary position; and
207	207	(4) appointed as follows:
208	208	(a) six members appointed one each by
209	209	the speaker of the house of representatives, the majority floor
210	210	leader of the house of representatives, the minority floor
211	211	leader of the house of representatives, the president pro
212	212	tempore of the senate, the majority floor leader of the senate
213	213	and the minority floor leader of the senate;
214	214	(b) two members appointed by the
215	215	governor; and
216	216	(c) one member appointed by the chief
217	217	justice of the supreme court.
218	218	B. A nominating committee member shall:
219	219	(1) be a resident of New Mexico;
220	220	(2) serve a four-year term; and
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249	249	(3) serve without compensation, but shall be
250	250	reimbursed for expenses incurred in pursuit of the member's
251	251	duties on the nominating committee pursuant to the Per Diem and
252	252	Mileage Act.
253	253	C. The nominating committee and individual members
254	254	shall be subject to the Governmental Conduct Act, the
255	255	Inspection of Public Records Act, the Financial Disclosure Act
256	256	and the Open Meetings Act.
257	257	D. Administrative support shall be provided to the
258	258	nominating committee by the staff of the department.
259	259	E. Initial appointments to the nominating committee
260	260	shall be made by the appointing authorities prior to July 1,
261	261	2026. Subsequent appointments shall be made no later than
262	262	thirty days before the end of a term.
263	263	F. The first meeting of the appointed members of
264	264	the nominating committee shall be held prior to September 1,
265	265	2026. The nominating committee shall select one member to be
266	266	chair and one member to be secretary of the nominating
267	267	committee. Following the first meeting, the nominating
268	268	committee shall meet as often as necessary in order to submit a
269	269	list to the governor of no fewer than five qualified nominees
270	270	for appointment as the secretary for the terms beginning
271	271	January 1, 2027. The list shall be developed to provide
272	272	geographical diversity, and nominees on the list shall be from
273	273	at least three different counties of the state.
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302	302	G. Subsequent to January 1, 2027, the nominating
303	303	committee shall meet at least ninety days prior to the date on
304	304	which the term of the secretary ends and as often as necessary
305	305	thereafter in order to submit a list to the governor, at least
306	306	thirty days prior to the beginning of the new term, of no fewer
307	307	than two qualified nominees from diverse geographical areas of
308	308	the state for appointment as secretary.
309	309	H. Upon the occurrence of a vacancy of the
310	310	secretary position, the nominating committee shall meet within
311	311	thirty days of the date of the beginning of the vacancy and as
312	312	often as necessary thereafter in order to submit a list to the
313	313	governor, within sixty days of the first meeting after the
314	314	vacancy occurs, of no fewer than two qualified nominees from
315	315	diverse geographical areas of the state for appointment as
316	316	secretary.
317	317	I. If a position on the nominating committee
318	318	becomes vacant during a term, a successor shall be selected in
319	319	the same manner as the original appointment for that position
320	320	and shall serve for the remainder of the term of the position
321	321	vacated.
322	322	J. The nominating committee shall actively solicit,
323	323	accept and evaluate applications and may require an applicant
324	324	to submit any information the nominating committee deems
325	325	relevant to the consideration of the individual's application.
326	326	K. A majority vote of all members of the nominating
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355	355	committee in favor of a person is required for that person to
356	356	be included on the list of qualified nominees submitted to the
357	357	governor."
358	358	SECTION 4. Section 9-2A-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992,
359	359	Chapter 57, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:
360	360	"9-2A-8. DEPARTMENT--ADDITIONAL DUTIES.--In addition to
361	361	other duties provided by law or assigned to the department by
362	362	the governor, the department shall:
363	363	A. develop priorities for department services and
364	364	resources based on state policy and national best-practice
365	365	standards and local considerations and priorities;
366	366	B. strengthen collaboration and coordination in
367	367	state and local services for children, youth and families by
368	368	integrating critical functions as appropriate, including
369	369	service delivery, and contracting for services across divisions
370	370	and related agencies;
371	371	C. develop and maintain a statewide database,
372	372	including client tracking of services for children, youth and
373	373	families;
374	374	D. develop standards of service within the
375	375	department that focus on prevention, monitoring and outcomes;
376	376	E. analyze policies of other departments that
377	377	affect children, youth and families to encourage common
378	378	contracting procedures, common service definitions and a
379	379	uniform system of access;
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408	408	F. enact [regulations ] rules to control disposition
409	409	and placement of children under the Children's Code, including
410	410	[regulations] rules to limit or prohibit the out-of-state
411	411	placement of children, including those who have developmental
412	412	disabilities or emotional, neurobiological or behavioral
413	413	disorders, when in-state alternatives are available;
414	414	G. develop reimbursement criteria for licensed
415	415	child care centers and licensed home providers establishing
416	416	that accreditation by a department-approved national
417	417	accrediting body is sufficient qualification for the child care
418	418	center or home provider to receive the highest reimbursement
419	419	rate paid by the department;
420	420	H. assume and implement responsibility for
421	421	children's mental health and substance abuse services in the
422	422	state, coordinating with the [human services department ] health
423	423	care authority and the department of health;
424	424	I. assume and implement the lead responsibility
425	425	among all departments for domestic violence services;
426	426	J. implement prevention and early intervention as a
427	427	departmental focus;
428	428	K. conduct biennial assessments of service gaps and
429	429	needs and establish outcome measurements to address those
430	430	service gaps and needs, including recommendations from the
431	431	governor's children's cabinet and the children, youth and
432	432	families advisory committee;
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461	461	L. ensure that behavioral health services provided,
462	462	including mental health and substance abuse services for
463	463	children, adolescents and their families, shall be in
464	464	compliance with requirements of Section [9-7-6.4 ] 24A-3-1 NMSA
465	465	1978 and any rules adopted pursuant to that section ; [and]
466	466	M. develop and implement the families first
467	467	strategic plan for the delivery of services and access to
468	468	programs as required pursuant to the Families First Act; and
469	469	[M.] N. fingerprint and conduct nationwide criminal
470	470	history record searches on all department employees, staff
471	471	members and volunteers whose jobs involve direct contact with
472	472	department clients, including prospective employees and
473	473	employees who are promoted, transferred or hired into new
474	474	positions, and the superiors of all department employees, staff
475	475	members and volunteers who have direct unsupervised contact
476	476	with department clients."
477	477	SECTION 5. Section 32A-1-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
478	478	Chapter 77, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:
479	479	"32A-1-4. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Children's Code:
480	480	A. "active efforts" means efforts that are
481	481	affirmative, active, thorough and timely and that represent a
482	482	higher standard of conduct than reasonable efforts;
483	483	B. "adult" means a person who is eighteen years of
484	484	age or older;
485	485	C. "child" means a person who is less than eighteen
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514	514	years old;
515	515	D. "council" means the substitute care advisory
516	516	council established pursuant to Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978;
517	517	E. "court", when used without further
518	518	qualification, means the children's court division of the
519	519	district court and includes the judge, special master or
520	520	commissioner appointed pursuant to the provisions of the
521	521	Children's Code or supreme court rule;
522	522	F. "court-appointed special advocate" means a
523	523	person appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Children's
524	524	Court Rules to assist the court in determining the best
525	525	interests of the child by investigating the case and submitting
526	526	a report to the court;
527	527	G. "custodian" means an adult with whom the child
528	528	lives who is not a parent or guardian of the child;
529	529	H. "department" means the children, youth and
530	530	families department, unless otherwise specified;
531	531	I. "disproportionate minority contact" means the
532	532	involvement of a racial or ethnic group with the criminal or
533	533	juvenile justice system at a proportion either higher or lower
534	534	than that group's proportion in the general population;
535	535	J. "federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978" means
536	536	the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, as that act may
537	537	be amended or its sections renumbered;
538	538	K. "foster parent" means a person, including a
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567	567	relative of the child, licensed or certified by the department
568	568	or a child placement agency to provide care for children in the
569	569	custody of the department or agency;
570	570	L. "guardian" means a person appointed as a
571	571	guardian by a court or Indian tribal authority or a person
572	572	authorized to care for the child by a parental power of
573	573	attorney as permitted by law ;
574	574	M. "guardian ad litem" means an attorney appointed
575	575	by the children's court to represent and protect the best
576	576	interests of the child in a case; provided that no party or
577	577	employee or representative of a party to the case shall be
578	578	appointed to serve as a guardian ad litem;
579	579	N. "Indian" means, whether an adult or child, a
580	580	person who is:
581	581	(1) a member of an Indian tribe; or
582	582	(2) eligible for membership in an Indian
583	583	tribe;
584	584	O. "Indian child" means an Indian person, or a
585	585	person whom there is reason to know is an Indian person, under
586	586	eighteen years of age, who is neither:
587	587	(1) married; or
588	588	(2) emancipated;
589	589	P. "Indian child's tribe" means:
590	590	(1) the Indian tribe in which an Indian child
591	591	is a member or eligible for membership; or
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620	620	(2) in the case of an Indian child who is a
621	621	member or eligible for membership in more than one tribe, the
622	622	Indian tribe with which the Indian child has more significant
623	623	contacts;
624	624	Q. "Indian custodian" means an Indian who, pursuant
625	625	to tribal law or custom or pursuant to state law:
626	626	(1) is an adult with legal custody of an
627	627	Indian child; or
628	628	(2) has been transferred temporary physical
629	629	care, custody and control by the parent of the Indian child;
630	630	R. "Indian tribe" means an Indian nation, tribe,
631	631	pueblo or other band, organized group or community of Indians
632	632	recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians by
633	633	the secretary because of their status as Indians, including an
634	634	Alaska native village as defined in 43 U.S.C. Section 1602(c)
635	635	or a regional corporation as defined in 43 U.S.C. Section 1606.
636	636	For the purposes of notification to and communication with a
637	637	tribe as required in the Indian Family Protection Act, "Indian
638	638	tribe" also includes those tribal officials and staff who are
639	639	responsible for child welfare and social services matters;
640	640	S. "judge", when used without further
641	641	qualification, means the judge of the court;
642	642	T. "legal custody" means a legal status created by
643	643	order of the court or other court of competent jurisdiction or
644	644	by operation of statute that vests in a person, department or
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673	673	agency the right to determine where and with whom a child shall
674	674	live; the right and duty to protect, train and discipline the
675	675	child and to provide the child with food, shelter, personal
676	676	care, education and ordinary and emergency medical care; the
677	677	right to consent to major medical, psychiatric, psychological
678	678	and surgical treatment and to the administration of legally
679	679	prescribed psychotropic medications pursuant to the Children's
680	680	Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Act; and the right
681	681	to consent to the child's enlistment in the armed forces of the
682	682	United States;
683	683	U. "member" or "membership" means a determination
684	684	made by an Indian tribe that a person is a member of or
685	685	eligible for membership in that Indian tribe;
686	686	V. "parent" or "parents" means a biological or
687	687	adoptive parent if the biological or adoptive parent has a
688	688	constitutionally protected liberty interest in the care and
689	689	custody of the child or a person who has lawfully adopted an
690	690	Indian child pursuant to state law or tribal law or tribal
691	691	custom;
692	692	W. "permanency plan" means a determination by the
693	693	court that the child's interest will be served best by:
694	694	(1) reunification;
695	695	(2) placement for adoption after the parents'
696	696	rights have been relinquished or terminated or after a motion
697	697	has been filed to terminate parental rights;
698	698	.229279.5
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726	726	(3) placement with a person who will be the
727	727	child's permanent guardian;
728	728	(4) placement in the legal custody of the
729	729	department with the child placed in the home of a fit and
730	730	willing relative; or
731	731	(5) placement in the legal custody of the
732	732	department under a planned permanent living arrangement;
733	733	X. "person" means an individual or any other form
734	734	of entity recognized by law;
735	735	Y. "plan of safe care" means a plan created by a
736	736	health care professional intended to ensure the safety and
737	737	well-being of a substance-exposed newborn, or to provide
738	738	prenatal or perinatal support to a pregnant person dealing with
739	739	substance use disorder , by addressing the treatment needs of
740	740	the child and any of the child's parents, relatives, guardians,
741	741	family members or caregivers to the extent those treatment
742	742	needs are relevant to the safety of the child;
743	743	Z. "preadoptive parent" means a person with whom a
744	744	child has been placed for adoption;
745	745	AA. "protective supervision" means the right to
746	746	visit the child in the home where the child is residing,
747	747	inspect the home, transport the child to court-ordered
748	748	diagnostic examinations and evaluations and obtain information
749	749	and records concerning the child;
750	750	BB. "relative" means a person related to another
751	751	.229279.5
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779	779	person:
780	780	(1) by blood within the fifth degree of
781	781	consanguinity or through marriage by the fifth degree of
782	782	affinity; or
783	783	(2) with respect to an Indian child, as
784	784	established or defined by the Indian child's tribe's custom or
785	785	law;
786	786	CC. "reservation" means:
787	787	(1) "Indian country" as defined in 18 U.S.C.
788	788	Section 1151;
789	789	(2) any lands to which the title is held by
790	790	the United States in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe
791	791	or individual; or
792	792	(3) any lands held by an Indian tribe or
793	793	individual subject to a restriction by the United States
794	794	against alienation;
795	795	DD. "reunification" means either a return of the
796	796	child to the parent or to the home from which the child was
797	797	removed or a return to the noncustodial parent;
798	798	EE. "secretary" means the United States secretary
799	799	of the interior;
800	800	FF. "tribal court" means a court with jurisdiction
801	801	over child custody proceedings that is either a court of Indian
802	802	offenses, a court established and operated under the law or
803	803	custom of an Indian tribe or any other administrative body that
804	804	.229279.5
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832	832	is vested by an Indian tribe with authority over child custody
833	833	proceedings;
834	834	GG. "tribal court order" means a document issued by
835	835	a tribal court that is signed by an appropriate authority,
836	836	including a judge, governor or tribal council member, and that
837	837	orders an action that is within the tribal court's
838	838	jurisdiction; and
839	839	HH. "tribunal" means any judicial forum other than
840	840	the court."
841	841	SECTION 6. Section 32A-3A-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
842	842	Chapter 190, Section 3) is amended to read:
843	843	"32A-3A-13. PLAN OF SAFE CARE--GUIDELINES--CREATION--DATA
844	844	SHARING--TRAINING.--
845	845	A. By [January 1, 2020 ] July 1, 2026, the
846	846	[department] health care authority , in consultation with
847	847	medicaid managed care organizations, private insurers, the
848	848	office of superintendent of insurance, the [human services ]
849	849	children, youth and families department and the department of
850	850	health, shall develop rules to guide hospitals, birthing
851	851	centers, medical providers, medicaid managed care organizations
852	852	and private insurers in the care of newborns who exhibit
853	853	physical, neurological or behavioral symptoms consistent with
854	854	prenatal drug exposure, withdrawal symptoms from prenatal drug
855	855	exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
856	856	B. Rules shall include guidelines to hospitals,
857	857	.229279.5
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885	885	birthing centers, medical providers, medicaid managed care
886	886	organizations and private insurers regarding:
887	887	(1) participation in the [discharge planning ]
888	888	plan of safe care development process, [including] which may
889	889	occur at a prenatal or perinatal medical visit and shall occur
890	890	prior to a substance-exposed child's discharge from a hospital.
891	891	The plan of safe care development process shall allow for the
892	892	creation of a written plan of safe care that shall be sent to:
893	893	(a) the child's primary care physician;
894	894	(b) a medicaid managed care organization
895	895	insurance plan care coordinator [who will monitor the
896	896	implementation of the plan of care after discharge, if the
897	897	child is insured, or to a care coordinator in the children's
898	898	medical services of the family health bureau of the public
899	899	health division of the department of health who will monitor
900	900	the implementation of the plan of care after discharge, if the
901	901	child is uninsured] or a care coordinator employed by or
902	902	contracted with the health care authority ; and
903	903	(c) the child's parent, relative,
904	904	guardian or caretaker who is present at discharge who shall
905	905	receive a copy upon discharge. The plan of safe care shall be
906	906	signed by an appropriate representative of the discharging
907	907	hospital and the child's parent, relative, guardian or
908	908	caretaker who is present at discharge;
909	909	(2) definitions and evidence-based screening
910	910	.229279.5
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938	938	tools, based on standards of professional practice, to be used
939	939	by health care providers to identify a child born affected by
940	940	substance use or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal
941	941	drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The rules
942	942	shall include a requirement that all hospitals, birthing
943	943	centers and prenatal care providers use the screening, brief
944	944	intervention and referral to treatment program at all prenatal
945	945	or perinatal medical visits and live births ;
946	946	(3) collection and reporting of data to meet
947	947	federal and state reporting requirements, including the
948	948	following:
949	949	(a) by hospitals and birthing centers to
950	950	the department when: 1) a plan of safe care has been
951	951	developed; and 2) a family has been referred for a plan of safe
952	952	care;
953	953	(b) information pertaining to a child
954	954	born and diagnosed by a health care professional as affected by
955	955	substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal
956	956	drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and
957	957	(c) data collected by hospitals and
958	958	birthing centers for use by the children's medical services of
959	959	the family health bureau of the public health division of the
960	960	department of health in epidemiological reports and to support
961	961	and monitor a plan of safe care. Information reported pursuant
962	962	to this subparagraph shall be coordinated with communication to
963	963	.229279.5
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991	991	insurance carrier care coordinators to facilitate access to
992	992	services for children and parents, relatives, guardians or
993	993	caregivers identified in a plan of safe care;
994	994	(4) requirements for the health care authority
995	995	to:
996	996	(a) ensure that there is at least one
997	997	care coordinator available in each birthing hospital in the
998	998	state;
999	999	(b) ensure that all substance-exposed
1000	1000	children who have a plan of safe care receive care coordination
1001	1001	to implement the plan of safe care; and
1002	1002	(c) provide training to hospital staff,
1003	1003	birthing center staff and prenatal care providers on the
1004	1004	screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment
1005	1005	program;
1006	1006	[(4)] (5) identification of appropriate
1007	1007	agencies to be included as supports and services in the plan of
1008	1008	safe care, based on an assessment of the needs of the child and
1009	1009	the child's relatives, parents, guardians or caretakers,
1010	1010	performed by a discharge planner prior to the child's discharge
1011	1011	from the hospital or birthing center, which: [may include
1012	1012	(a) public health agencies;
1013	1013	(b) maternal and child health agencies;
1014	1014	(c) home visitation programs;
1015	1015	(d) substance use disorder prevention
1016	1016	.229279.5
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1044	1044	and treatment providers;
1045	1045	(e) mental health providers;
1046	1046	(f) public and private children and
1047	1047	youth agencies;
1048	1048	(g) early intervention and developmental
1049	1049	services;
1050	1050	(h) courts;
1051	1051	(i) local education agencies;
1052	1052	(j) managed care organizations; or
1053	1053	(k) hospitals and medical providers;
1054	1054	and]
1055	1055	(a) shall include: 1) home visitation
1056	1056	programs; and 2) substance use disorder prevention and
1057	1057	treatment providers; and
1058	1058	(b) may include: 1) public health
1059	1059	agencies; 2) maternal and child health agencies; 3) mental
1060	1060	health providers; 4) infant mental health providers; 5) public
1061	1061	and private children and youth agencies; 6) early intervention
1062	1062	and developmental services; 7) courts; 8) local education
1063	1063	agencies; 9) managed care organizations; or 10) hospitals and
1064	1064	medical providers;
1065	1065	[(5)] (6) engagement of the child's relatives,
1066	1066	parents, guardians or caretakers in order to identify the need
1067	1067	for access to treatment for any substance use disorder or other
1068	1068	physical or behavioral health condition that may impact the
1069	1069	.229279.5
1070	1070	- 20 - underscored material = new
1071	1071	[bracketed material] = delete
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1097	1097	safety, early childhood development and well-being of the
1098	1098	child; and
1099	1099	(7) implementation of plans of safe care that
1100	1100	shall include requirements for care coordinators to:
1101	1101	(a) actively work with pregnant persons
1102	1102	or a substance-exposed child's parents, relatives, guardians,
1103	1103	family members or caregivers to refer and connect the pregnant
1104	1104	person or substance-exposed child's parents, relatives,
1105	1105	guardians, family members or caregivers to necessary services.
1106	1106	Care coordinators shall use an evidence-based intensive care
1107	1107	coordination model that is listed in the federal Title IV-E
1108	1108	prevention services clearinghouse or another nationally
1109	1109	recognized evidence-based clearinghouse for child welfare; and
1110	1110	(b) attempt to make contact with persons
1111	1111	who are not following the plan of safe care using multiple
1112	1112	methods, including in person, by mail, by phone call or by text
1113	1113	message. If a pregnant person or a substance-exposed child's
1114	1114	parents, relatives, guardians, family members or caregivers are
1115	1115	not following the plan of safe care, care coordinators shall
1116	1116	make attempts to contact and provide support services to
1117	1117	persons who are not following the plan of safe care.
1118	1118	C. Reports made pursuant to Paragraph (3) of
1119	1119	Subsection B of this section shall be collected by the
1120	1120	department as distinct and separate from any child abuse report
1121	1121	as captured and held or investigated by the department, such
1122	1122	.229279.5
1123	1123	- 21 - underscored material = new
1124	1124	[bracketed material] = delete
1125	1125	1
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1150	1150	that the reporting of a plan of safe care shall not constitute
1151	1151	a report of suspected child abuse and neglect and shall not
1152	1152	initiate investigation by the department or a report to law
1153	1153	enforcement.
1154	1154	D. The department shall summarize and report data
1155	1155	received pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection B of this
1156	1156	section at intervals as needed to meet federal regulations.
1157	1157	E. The [children's medical services of the family
1158	1158	health bureau of the public health division of the department
1159	1159	of health shall collect and record data reported pursuant to
1160	1160	Subparagraph (c) of Paragraph (3) of Subsection B of this
1161	1161	section to support and monitor care coordination of plans of
1162	1162	care for children born without insurance ] health care authority
1163	1163	shall provide an annual report to the legislative finance
1164	1164	committee, the interim legislative health and human services
1165	1165	committee and the department of finance and administration on
1166	1166	the status of the plan of safe care system. The report shall
1167	1167	include the following aggregate statistical information related
1168	1168	to the creation of plans of safe care:
1169	1169	(1) the primary substances that infants were
1170	1170	exposed to;
1171	1171	(2) the services that infants and families
1172	1172	were referred to;
1173	1173	(3) the availability and uptake rate of
1174	1174	services;
1175	1175	.229279.5
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1203	1203	(4) whether an infant or an infant's family
1204	1204	was subsequently reported to the children, youth and families
1205	1205	department; and
1206	1206	(5) disaggregated demographic and geographic
1207	1207	data.
1208	1208	F. Reports made pursuant to the requirements in
1209	1209	this section shall not be construed to relieve a person of the
1210	1210	requirement to report to the department knowledge of or a
1211	1211	reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or neglected
1212	1212	child based on criteria as defined by Section 32A-4-2 NMSA
1213	1213	1978.
1214	1214	G. The [department] health care authority shall
1215	1215	[work in consultation with the department of health to ] create
1216	1216	and distribute training materials to support and educate
1217	1217	discharge planners or social workers on the following:
1218	1218	(1) how to assess whether to make a referral
1219	1219	to the department pursuant to the Abuse and Neglect Act;
1220	1220	(2) how to assess whether to make a
1221	1221	notification to the department pursuant to Subsection B of
1222	1222	Section 32A-4-3 NMSA 1978 for a child who has been diagnosed as
1223	1223	affected by substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms resulting from
1224	1224	prenatal drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
1225	1225	(3) how to assess whether to create a plan of
1226	1226	safe care when a referral to the department is not required;
1227	1227	and
1228	1228	.229279.5
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1256	1256	(4) the creation and deployment of a plan of
1257	1257	safe care.
1258	1258	H. [No] A person shall not have a cause of action
1259	1259	for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission resulting
1260	1260	from the implementation of the provisions of Subsection G of
1261	1261	this section or resulting from any training, or lack thereof,
1262	1262	required by Subsection G of this section.
1263	1263	I. The training, or lack thereof, required by the
1264	1264	provisions of Subsection G of this section shall not be
1265	1265	construed to impose any specific duty of care."
1266	1266	SECTION 7. Section 32A-3A-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
1267	1267	Chapter 190, Section 4) is amended to read:
1268	1268	"32A-3A-14. NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
1269	1269	NONCOMPLIANCE WITH A PLAN OF SAFE CARE.--
1270	1270	A. If the parents, relatives, guardians or
1271	1271	caretakers of a child released from a hospital or freestanding
1272	1272	birthing center pursuant to a plan of safe care fail to comply
1273	1273	with that plan, the health care authority, a medicaid managed
1274	1274	care organization insurance plan care coordinator or a care
1275	1275	coordinator contracted with the health care authority shall
1276	1276	notify the department [shall be notified ] and the department
1277	1277	[may] shall conduct a family assessment. Based on the results
1278	1278	of the family assessment, the department may offer or provide
1279	1279	referrals for counseling, training, or other services aimed at
1280	1280	addressing the underlying causative factors that may jeopardize
1281	1281	.229279.5
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1309	1309	the safety or well-being of the child. The child's parents,
1310	1310	relatives, guardians or caretakers may choose to accept or
1311	1311	decline any service or program offered subsequent to the family
1312	1312	assessment; provided that if the child's parents, relatives,
1313	1313	guardians or caretakers decline those services or programs, and
1314	1314	the department [may] determines that those services or programs
1315	1315	are necessary to address concerns of imminent harm to the
1316	1316	child, the department shall proceed with an investigation.
1317	1317	B. As used in this section, "family assessment"
1318	1318	means a comprehensive assessment prepared by the department at
1319	1319	the time the department receives notification of failure to
1320	1320	comply with the plan of safe care to determine the needs of a
1321	1321	child and the child's parents, relatives, guardians or
1322	1322	caretakers, including an assessment of the likelihood of:
1323	1323	(1) imminent danger to a child's well-being;
1324	1324	(2) the child becoming an abused child or
1325	1325	neglected child; and
1326	1326	(3) the strengths and needs of the child's
1327	1327	family members, including parents, relatives, guardians or
1328	1328	caretakers, with respect to providing for the health and safety
1329	1329	of the child."
1330	1330	SECTION 8. Section 32A-4-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
1331	1331	Chapter 77, Section 97, as amended) is amended to read:
1332	1332	"32A-4-3. DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE AND CHILD NEGLECT--
1333	1333	RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT--PENALTY--
1334	1334	.229279.5
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1362	1362	NOTIFICATION OF PLAN OF SAFE CARE.--
1363	1363	A. Every person, including a licensed physician; a
1364	1364	resident or an intern examining, attending or treating a child;
1365	1365	a law enforcement officer; a judge presiding during a
1366	1366	proceeding; a registered nurse; a visiting nurse; a school
1367	1367	employee; a social worker acting in an official capacity; or a
1368	1368	member of the clergy who has information that is not privileged
1369	1369	as a matter of law, who knows or has a reasonable suspicion
1370	1370	that a child is an abused or a neglected child shall report the
1371	1371	matter immediately to:
1372	1372	(1) a local law enforcement agency;
1373	1373	(2) the department; or
1374	1374	(3) a tribal law enforcement or social
1375	1375	services agency for any Indian child residing in Indian
1376	1376	country.
1377	1377	B. A law enforcement agency receiving the report
1378	1378	shall immediately transmit the facts of the report and the
1379	1379	name, address and phone number of the reporter by telephone to
1380	1380	the department and shall transmit the same information in
1381	1381	writing within forty-eight hours. The department shall
1382	1382	immediately transmit the facts of the report and the name,
1383	1383	address and phone number of the reporter by telephone to a
1384	1384	local law enforcement agency and shall transmit the same
1385	1385	information in writing within forty-eight hours. The written
1386	1386	report shall contain the names and addresses of the child and
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1415	1415	the child's parents, guardian or custodian, the child's age,
1416	1416	the nature and extent of the child's injuries, including any
1417	1417	evidence of previous injuries, and other information that the
1418	1418	maker of the report believes might be helpful in establishing
1419	1419	the cause of the injuries and the identity of the person
1420	1420	responsible for the injuries. The written report shall be
1421	1421	submitted upon a standardized form agreed to by the law
1422	1422	enforcement agency and the department.
1423	1423	C. The recipient of a report under Subsection A of
1424	1424	this section shall take immediate steps to ensure prompt
1425	1425	investigation of the report. The investigation shall ensure
1426	1426	that immediate steps are taken to protect the health or welfare
1427	1427	of the alleged abused or neglected child, as well as that of
1428	1428	any other child under the same care who may be in danger of
1429	1429	abuse or neglect. A local law enforcement officer trained in
1430	1430	the investigation of child abuse and neglect is responsible for
1431	1431	investigating reports of alleged child abuse or neglect at
1432	1432	schools, daycare facilities or child care facilities.
1433	1433	D. If the child alleged to be abused or neglected
1434	1434	is in the care or control of or in a facility administratively
1435	1435	connected to the department, the report shall be investigated
1436	1436	by a local law enforcement officer trained in the investigation
1437	1437	of child abuse and neglect. The investigation shall ensure
1438	1438	that immediate steps are taken to protect the health or welfare
1439	1439	of the alleged abused or neglected child, as well as that of
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1468	1468	any other child under the same care who may be in danger of
1469	1469	abuse or neglect.
1470	1470	E. A law enforcement agency or the department shall
1471	1471	have access to any of the records pertaining to a child abuse
1472	1472	or neglect case maintained by any of the persons enumerated in
1473	1473	Subsection A of this section, except as otherwise provided in
1474	1474	the Abuse and Neglect Act.
1475	1475	F. A person who violates the provisions of
1476	1476	Subsection A of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and
1477	1477	shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section
1478	1478	31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
1479	1479	G. A finding that a pregnant woman is using or
1480	1480	abusing drugs made pursuant to an interview, self-report,
1481	1481	clinical observation or routine toxicology screen shall not
1482	1482	alone form a sufficient basis to report child abuse or neglect
1483	1483	to the department pursuant to Subsection A of this section. A
1484	1484	volunteer, contractor or staff of a hospital or freestanding
1485	1485	birthing center shall not make a report based solely on that
1486	1486	finding and shall make a notification pursuant to Subsection H
1487	1487	of this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed
1488	1488	to prevent a person from reporting to the department a
1489	1489	reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or neglected
1490	1490	child based on other criteria as defined by Section 32A-4-2
1491	1491	NMSA 1978, or a combination of criteria that includes a finding
1492	1492	pursuant to this subsection.
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1521	1521	H. A [volunteer] contractor or staff of a hospital,
1522	1522	[or] freestanding birthing center or clinic that provides
1523	1523	prenatal or perinatal care shall:
1524	1524	(1) complete a written plan of safe care for a
1525	1525	substance-exposed newborn or a pregnant person who agrees to
1526	1526	creating a plan of safe care , as provided for by department
1527	1527	rule and the Children's Code; and
1528	1528	(2) provide notification to the [department ]
1529	1529	health care authority . Notification by a health care provider
1530	1530	pursuant to this paragraph shall not be construed as a report
1531	1531	of child abuse or neglect.
1532	1532	I. As used in this section, "notification" means
1533	1533	informing the [department ] health care authority that a
1534	1534	substance-exposed newborn was born and providing a copy of the
1535	1535	plan of safe care that was created for the child; provided that
1536	1536	notification shall comply with federal guidelines and shall not
1537	1537	constitute a report of child abuse or neglect. The health care
1538	1538	authority shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with
1539	1539	federal reporting requirements related to plans of safe care.
1540	1540	J. As used in this section, "school employee"
1541	1541	includes employees of a school district or a public school."
1542	1542	SECTION 9. Section 32A-4-4.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2019,
1543	1543	Chapter 137, Section 2) is amended to read:
1544	1544	"32A-4-4.1. MULTILEVEL RESPONSE SYSTEM.--
1545	1545	A. The department shall establish a multilevel
1546	1546	.229279.5
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1574	1574	response system to evaluate and provide services to a child or
1575	1575	the family, relatives, caretakers or guardians of a child with
1576	1576	respect to whom a report alleging neglect or abuse has been
1577	1577	made. The multilevel response system may include an
1578	1578	alternative to investigation upon completion of an evaluation
1579	1579	that may be completed at intake by the department, the results
1580	1580	of which indicate that there is no immediate concern for the
1581	1581	child's safety; provided, however, that an investigation shall
1582	1582	be conducted for any report:
1583	1583	(1) alleging sexual abuse of a child or
1584	1584	serious or imminent harm to a child;
1585	1585	(2) indicating a child fatality;
1586	1586	(3) requiring law enforcement involvement, as
1587	1587	identified pursuant to rules promulgated by the department; or
1588	1588	(4) requiring a specialized assessment or a
1589	1589	traditional investigative approach, as determined pursuant to
1590	1590	rules promulgated by the department.
1591	1591	B. The department may remove a case from the
1592	1592	multilevel response system and conduct an investigation if
1593	1593	imminent danger of serious harm to the child becomes evident.
1594	1594	The department may reassign a case from investigation to the
1595	1595	multilevel response system at the discretion of the department.
1596	1596	C. For each family, including the child who is the
1597	1597	subject of a report to the department and that child's
1598	1598	relatives, caretakers or guardians, that receives services
1599	1599	.229279.5
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1627	1627	under the multilevel response system, the department shall
1628	1628	conduct a family assessment. Based on the results of the
1629	1629	family assessment, the department may offer or provide
1630	1630	referrals for counseling, training or other services aimed at
1631	1631	addressing the underlying causative factors jeopardizing the
1632	1632	safety or well-being of the child who is the subject of a
1633	1633	report to the department. A family member, relative, caretaker
1634	1634	or guardian may choose to accept or decline any services or
1635	1635	programs offered under the multilevel response system;
1636	1636	provided, however, that if a family member, relative, caretaker
1637	1637	or guardian declines services, the department may choose to
1638	1638	proceed with an investigation.
1639	1639	D. The department shall employ licensed social
1640	1640	workers to provide services to families, relatives, caretakers
1641	1641	or guardians participating in the multilevel response system to
1642	1642	the extent that licensed social workers are available for
1643	1643	employment.
1644	1644	[E. The department may pilot the multilevel
1645	1645	response system prior to statewide implementation.
1646	1646	F. The department may limit implementation of the
1647	1647	multilevel response system to areas of the state where
1648	1648	appropriate services are available and operate the system
1649	1649	within available state and federal resources.
1650	1650	G.] E. The department shall:
1651	1651	(1) provide an annual report of system
1652	1652	.229279.5
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1680	1680	implementation and outcomes to the legislative finance
1681	1681	committee, the interim legislative health and human services
1682	1682	committee, the interim committee that studies courts,
1683	1683	corrections and justice and the department of finance and
1684	1684	administration as part of the department's budget submission;
1685	1685	(2) arrange for an independent evaluation of
1686	1686	the multilevel response system, including examining outcomes
1687	1687	for child safety and well-being and cost-effectiveness;
1688	1688	(3) incorporate the multilevel response system
1689	1689	into the department's quality assurance review process;
1690	1690	(4) develop performance measures, as provided
1691	1691	in the Accountability in Government Act, for the multilevel
1692	1692	response system; and
1693	1693	(5) implement the multilevel response system
1694	1694	statewide no later than July 1, [2022, if the department pilots
1695	1695	or otherwise geographically limits the multilevel response
1696	1696	system, submit a plan to the legislative finance committee and
1697	1697	the department of finance and administration setting forth how
1698	1698	the system could be expanded statewide, including a plan to
1699	1699	address service availability, and identifying costs that would
1700	1700	be incurred by the department ] 2027.
1701	1701	[H.] F. The department shall promulgate rules to
1702	1702	implement the provisions of this section.
1703	1703	[I.] G. As used in this section, "family
1704	1704	assessment" means a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment
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1733	1733	tool used by the department to determine the needs of a child
1734	1734	and the child's family, relatives, caretakers or guardians at
1735	1735	the time the department receives a report of child abuse and
1736	1736	neglect, including an assessment of the likelihood of:
1737	1737	(1) imminent danger to a child's well-being;
1738	1738	(2) the child becoming an abused child or a
1739	1739	neglected child; and
1740	1740	(3) the strengths and needs of the child's
1741	1741	family members, relatives, caretakers or guardians with respect
1742	1742	to providing for the health and safety of the child."
1743	1743	SECTION 10. A new section of the Children's Code is
1744	1744	enacted to read:
1745	1745	"[NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--Sections 10 through 13 of
1746	1746	this act may be cited as the "Families First Act"."
1747	1747	SECTION 11. A new section of the Children's Code is
1748	1748	enacted to read:
1749	1749	"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Families
1750	1750	First Act:
1751	1751	A. "families first services" means foster care
1752	1752	prevention services categorized pursuant to the federal Title
1753	1753	IV-E prevention services clearinghouse as well-supported,
1754	1754	supported or promising that are included in the families first
1755	1755	strategic plan implemented pursuant to the Families First Act
1756	1756	and are provided by the department through the implementation
1757	1757	of that strategic plan; and
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1786	1786	B. "families first strategic plan" means the plan
1787	1787	required pursuant to the Families First Act that is developed
1788	1788	and implemented by the department in accordance with the
1789	1789	regulations and requirements set forth in the federal Family
1790	1790	First Prevention Services Act."
1791	1791	SECTION 12. A new section of the Children's Code is
1792	1792	enacted to read:
1793	1793	"[NEW MATERIAL] FAMILIES FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN--DEPARTMENT
1794	1794	DUTIES--FAMILIES FIRST SERVICES--TIME LINE--IMPLEMENTATION.--
1795	1795	A. In consultation with the early childhood
1796	1796	education and care department, the health care authority and
1797	1797	the department of health, the department shall develop and
1798	1798	implement the families first strategic plan. In developing the
1799	1799	families first strategic plan, the department shall:
1800	1800	(1) ensure that provisions of the families
1801	1801	first strategic plan align with and meet the requirements set
1802	1802	forth in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act; and
1803	1803	(2) maximize resources from the federal
1804	1804	government under Title IV-E that are available to the
1805	1805	department to provide families first services.
1806	1806	B. The families first strategic plan required
1807	1807	pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall:
1808	1808	(1) include a comprehensive description of the
1809	1809	department's responsibilities and duties for providing families
1810	1810	first services;
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1839	1839	(2) include a comprehensive and detailed list
1840	1840	of each of the families first services the department will
1841	1841	provide to eligible persons and affirm that each service to be
1842	1842	provided:
1843	1843	(a) is eligible for reimbursement
1844	1844	pursuant to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1845	1845	and
1846	1846	(b) is rated as promising, supported or
1847	1847	well-supported in accordance with the Title IV-E prevention
1848	1848	services clearinghouse;
1849	1849	(3) identify all network services providers,
1850	1850	including other state agencies, that the department will use
1851	1851	for providing families first services. If services are
1852	1852	provided by another state agency, the department, together with
1853	1853	the other state agency, shall establish safety monitoring
1854	1854	protocols for direct monitoring of the services provided by
1855	1855	that agency and, for each provider used by the department, list
1856	1856	the specific families first service that the network services
1857	1857	provider will provide, including:
1858	1858	(a) mental health or substance abuse
1859	1859	prevention and treatment;
1860	1860	(b) in-home parent skill-based programs;
1861	1861	(c) kinship navigator programs; or
1862	1862	(d) any other programs or services that
1863	1863	are eligible or become eligible for reimbursement pursuant to
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1892	1892	the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1893	1893	(4) identify and define the population of
1894	1894	eligible persons who may receive families first services and
1895	1895	include, at a minimum:
1896	1896	(a) a child who is a candidate for
1897	1897	foster care but who can remain safely at home with the
1898	1898	provision of evidence-based services;
1899	1899	(b) a parent, guardian or caregiver of a
1900	1900	child at risk of entering foster care;
1901	1901	(c) a pregnant or parenting youth in
1902	1902	foster care; and
1903	1903	(d) other eligible persons identified by
1904	1904	the department;
1905	1905	(5) identify processes and procedures to be
1906	1906	established and followed by the department to determine
1907	1907	eligibility for any families first service;
1908	1908	(6) identify processes and procedures to be
1909	1909	established and followed by the department to maximize federal
1910	1910	reimbursements, funding and resources available to the
1911	1911	department to provide families first services;
1912	1912	(7) identify the process that the department
1913	1913	will use to monitor and oversee the safety of children who
1914	1914	receive families first services and programs, as required by
1915	1915	the federal Family First Prevention Services Act;
1916	1916	(8) establish appropriate metrics the
1917	1917	.229279.5
1918	1918	- 36 - underscored material = new
1919	1919	[bracketed material] = delete
1920	1920	1
1921	1921	2
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1941	1941	22
1942	1942	23
1943	1943	24
1944	1944	25
1945	1945	department will use to determine and evaluate outcomes from the
1946	1946	department's provision of families first services pursuant to
1947	1947	the Families First Act, including outcomes related specifically
1948	1948	to subsequent substantiated reports of maltreatment and the
1949	1949	numbers of children entering foster care;
1950	1950	(9) establish an appropriate time line and
1951	1951	strategy for providing families first services statewide. The
1952	1952	time line shall include the following:
1953	1953	(a) no later than June 30, 2027, the
1954	1954	department shall provide families first services through a
1955	1955	pilot program that is designed for implementation considering
1956	1956	factors such as county population density and rates of child
1957	1957	maltreatment and repeat maltreatment; and
1958	1958	(b) no later than June 30, 2032, the
1959	1959	department shall provide statewide implementation of families
1960	1960	first services rolled out in a manner consistent with the best
1961	1961	practices derived from the evaluation of the observation,
1962	1962	experiences and discernible outcomes of the pilot program;
1963	1963	(10) provide a detailed description of how the
1964	1964	department will continuously monitor the families first
1965	1965	strategic plan, from development of the plan through the pilot
1966	1966	program phase and to statewide implementation. Included in
1967	1967	that description shall be how the department will monitor key
1968	1968	factors likely to best ensure fidelity to the service model
1969	1969	developed within the families first strategic plan; and
1970	1970	.229279.5
1971	1971	- 37 - underscored material = new
1972	1972	[bracketed material] = delete
1973	1973	1
1974	1974	2
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1993	1993	21
1994	1994	22
1995	1995	23
1996	1996	24
1997	1997	25
1998	1998	(11) establish the appropriate information to
1999	1999	include in an annual report to be provided by the department to
2000	2000	the legislative finance committee, the interim legislative
2001	2001	health and human services committee and the governor. At a
2002	2002	minimum, the annual report shall include the following
2003	2003	information:
2004	2004	(a) an up-to-date inventory of all
2005	2005	families first services available;
2006	2006	(b) data, without inclusion of personal
2007	2007	identifier information, regarding the uptake and program
2008	2008	completion among eligible individuals of families first
2009	2009	services, including the area of the state in which the services
2010	2010	were accessed;
2011	2011	(c) performance results regarding
2012	2012	identified outcome measures, to include aggregate data about
2013	2013	child participant placement status at the beginning of services
2014	2014	and one year after services and whether the child entered
2015	2015	foster care within two years after being determined a candidate
2016	2016	for foster care and receiving families first services; and
2017	2017	(d) fiscal information regarding program
2018	2018	and service expenditures and disaggregating state and federal
2019	2019	revenue sources.
2020	2020	C. For the purposes of this subsection, "approving
2021	2021	authority" means the federal administration for children and
2022	2022	families. The department shall:
2023	2023	.229279.5
2024	2024	- 38 - underscored material = new
2025	2025	[bracketed material] = delete
2026	2026	1
2027	2027	2
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2050	2050	25
2051	2051	(1) no later than August 1, 2025, finalize the
2052	2052	provisions of the families first strategic plan, post the plan
2053	2053	to the department's website and provide a copy of the plan to
2054	2054	the legislative finance committee, the interim legislative
2055	2055	health and human services committee and the governor;
2056	2056	(2) no later than September 1, 2025:
2057	2057	(a) submit the families first strategic
2058	2058	plan to the approving authority for approval; and
2059	2059	(b) begin providing families first
2060	2060	services pursuant to the provisions of the Families First Act;
2061	2061	(3) if a submitted strategic plan is not
2062	2062	approved and the approving authority indicates that to secure
2063	2063	an approval, the strategic plan must be revised, as soon as
2064	2064	practicable:
2065	2065	(a) revise the families first strategic
2066	2066	plan in accordance with the revisions required by the approving
2067	2067	authority; and
2068	2068	(b) submit the revised strategic plan to
2069	2069	the approving authority; and
2070	2070	(4) include in the department's reports
2071	2071	required pursuant to the Families First Act the status of each
2072	2072	families first strategic plan submitted to the approving
2073	2073	authority for approval, including any specific revisions
2074	2074	required, the dates of submissions and the dates of approval or
2075	2075	nonapproval by the approving authority for each submitted
2076	2076	.229279.5
2077	2077	- 39 - underscored material = new
2078	2078	[bracketed material] = delete
2079	2079	1
2080	2080	2
2081	2081	3
2082	2082	4
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2084	2084	6
2085	2085	7
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2100	2100	22
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2102	2102	24
2103	2103	25
2104	2104	strategic plan and any other relevant information related to
2105	2105	the status of a families first strategic plan submitted to the
2106	2106	approving authority by the department.
2107	2107	D. No later than July 1, 2026, and by each July 1
2108	2108	thereafter, the department shall post the annual report as
2109	2109	established in the families first strategic plan pursuant to
2110	2110	the Families First Act to the department's website, and the
2111	2111	department shall submit the annual report to the legislative
2112	2112	finance committee, the interim legislative health and human
2113	2113	services committee and the governor."
2114	2114	SECTION 13. A new section of the Children's Code is
2115	2115	enacted to read:
2116	2116	"[NEW MATERIAL] RULES.--By August 1, 2027, the department
2117	2117	shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary to carry out the
2118	2118	provisions of the Families First Act."
2119	2119	SECTION 14. Section 32A-4-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2120	2120	Chapter 77, Section 115, as amended) is amended to read:
2121	2121	"32A-4-21. NEGLECT OR ABUSE PREDISPOSITION STUDIES,
2122	2122	REPORTS AND EXAMINATIONS--SUPPORT SERVICES .--
2123	2123	A. Prior to holding a dispositional hearing, the
2124	2124	court shall direct that a predisposition study and report be
2125	2125	submitted in writing to the court by the department.
2126	2126	B. The predisposition study required pursuant to
2127	2127	Subsection A of this section shall contain the following
2128	2128	information:
2129	2129	.229279.5
2130	2130	- 40 - underscored material = new
2131	2131	[bracketed material] = delete
2132	2132	1
2133	2133	2
2134	2134	3
2135	2135	4
2136	2136	5
2137	2137	6
2138	2138	7
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2151	2151	20
2152	2152	21
2153	2153	22
2154	2154	23
2155	2155	24
2156	2156	25
2157	2157	(1) a statement of the specific reasons for
2158	2158	intervention by the department or for placing the child in the
2159	2159	department's custody and a statement of the parent's ability to
2160	2160	care for the child in the parent's home without causing harm to
2161	2161	the child;
2162	2162	(2) a statement of how an intervention plan is
2163	2163	designed to achieve placement of the child in the least
2164	2164	restrictive setting available, consistent with the best
2165	2165	interests and special needs of the child, including a statement
2166	2166	of the likely harm the child may suffer as a result of being
2167	2167	removed from the parent's home, including emotional harm that
2168	2168	may result due to separation from the child's parents, and a
2169	2169	statement of how the intervention plan is designed to place the
2170	2170	child in close proximity to the parent's home without causing
2171	2171	harm to the child due to separation from parents, siblings or
2172	2172	any other person who may significantly affect the child's best
2173	2173	interest;
2174	2174	(3) the wishes of the child as to the child's
2175	2175	custodian;
2176	2176	(4) a statement of the efforts the department
2177	2177	has made to identify and locate all grandparents and other
2178	2178	relatives and to conduct home studies on any appropriate
2179	2179	relative expressing an interest in providing care for the
2180	2180	child, and a statement as to whether the child has a family
2181	2181	member who, subsequent to study by the department, is
2182	2182	.229279.5
2183	2183	- 41 - underscored material = new
2184	2184	[bracketed material] = delete
2185	2185	1
2186	2186	2
2187	2187	3
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2190	2190	6
2191	2191	7
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2209	2209	25
2210	2210	determined to be qualified to care for the child;
2211	2211	(5) a description of services offered to the
2212	2212	child, the child's family and the child's foster care family,
2213	2213	which, if appropriate and available, may include families first
2214	2214	services provided pursuant to the Families First Act, as well
2215	2215	as referrals to income support or other services or programs ,
2216	2216	and a summary of reasonable efforts made to prevent removal of
2217	2217	the child from the child's family or reasonable efforts made to
2218	2218	reunite the child with the child's family;
2219	2219	(6) a description of the home or facility in
2220	2220	which the child is placed and the appropriateness of the
2221	2221	child's placement;
2222	2222	(7) the results of any diagnostic examination
2223	2223	or evaluation ordered at the custody hearing;
2224	2224	(8) a statement of the child's medical and
2225	2225	educational background;
2226	2226	(9) a case plan that sets forth steps to
2227	2227	ensure that the child's physical, medical, cultural,
2228	2228	psychological and educational needs are met and that sets forth
2229	2229	services to be provided to the child and the child's parents to
2230	2230	facilitate permanent placement of the child in the parent's
2231	2231	home;
2232	2232	(10) for children sixteen years of age and
2233	2233	older, a plan for developing the specific skills the child
2234	2234	requires for successful transition into independent living as
2235	2235	.229279.5
2236	2236	- 42 - underscored material = new
2237	2237	[bracketed material] = delete
2238	2238	1
2239	2239	2
2240	2240	3
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2259	2259	22
2260	2260	23
2261	2261	24
2262	2262	25
2263	2263	an adult, regardless of whether the child is returned to the
2264	2264	child's parent's home;
2265	2265	(11) a case plan that sets forth steps to
2266	2266	ensure that the child's educational needs are met and, for a
2267	2267	child fourteen years of age or older, a case plan that
2268	2268	specifically sets forth the child's educational and post-
2269	2269	secondary goals; and
2270	2270	(12) a description of the child's foster care
2271	2271	placement and whether it is appropriate in terms of the
2272	2272	educational setting and proximity to the school the child was
2273	2273	enrolled in at the time of the placement, including plans for
2274	2274	travel for the child to remain in the school in which the child
2275	2275	was enrolled at the time of placement, if reasonable and in the
2276	2276	child's best interest.
2277	2277	C. A copy of the predisposition report shall be
2278	2278	provided by the department to counsel for all parties five days
2279	2279	before the dispositional hearing.
2280	2280	D. If the child is an adjudicated abused child, any
2281	2281	temporary custody orders shall remain in effect until the court
2282	2282	has received and considered the predispositional study at the
2283	2283	dispositional hearing."
2284	2284	SECTION 15. Section 32A-4-33 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2285	2285	Chapter 77, Section 127, as amended) is amended to read:
2286	2286	"32A-4-33. CONFIDENTIALITY--RECORDS--PENALTY.--
2287	2287	A. All records or information concerning a party to
2288	2288	.229279.5
2289	2289	- 43 - underscored material = new
2290	2290	[bracketed material] = delete
2291	2291	1
2292	2292	2
2293	2293	3
2294	2294	4
2295	2295	5
2296	2296	6
2297	2297	7
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2300	2300	10
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2310	2310	20
2311	2311	21
2312	2312	22
2313	2313	23
2314	2314	24
2315	2315	25
2316	2316	a neglect or abuse proceeding, including social records,
2317	2317	diagnostic evaluations, psychiatric or psychological reports,
2318	2318	videotapes, transcripts and audio recordings of a child's
2319	2319	statement of abuse or medical reports incident to or obtained
2320	2320	as a result of a neglect or abuse proceeding or that were
2321	2321	produced or obtained during an investigation in anticipation of
2322	2322	or incident to a neglect or abuse proceeding shall be
2323	2323	confidential and closed to the public.
2324	2324	B. The records described in Subsection A of this
2325	2325	section shall be disclosed only to the parties and:
2326	2326	(1) court personnel and persons or entities
2327	2327	authorized by contract with the court to review, inspect or
2328	2328	otherwise have access to records or information in the court's
2329	2329	possession;
2330	2330	(2) court-appointed special advocates
2331	2331	appointed to the neglect or abuse proceeding;
2332	2332	(3) the child's guardian ad litem;
2333	2333	(4) the attorney representing the child in an
2334	2334	abuse or neglect action, a delinquency action or any other
2335	2335	action under the Children's Code;
2336	2336	(5) department personnel and persons or
2337	2337	entities authorized by contract with the department to review,
2338	2338	inspect or otherwise have access to records or information in
2339	2339	the department's possession;
2340	2340	(6) [any local substitute care review board or
2341	2341	.229279.5
2342	2342	- 44 - underscored material = new
2343	2343	[bracketed material] = delete
2344	2344	1
2345	2345	2
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2366	2366	23
2367	2367	24
2368	2368	25
2369	2369	any agency contracted to implement local substitute care review
2370	2370	boards] a staff member of the substitute care advisory council,
2371	2371	if the records are requested for the purpose of carrying out
2372	2372	the provisions of the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act ;
2373	2373	(7) law enforcement officials, except when use
2374	2374	immunity is granted pursuant to Section 32A-4-11 NMSA 1978;
2375	2375	(8) district attorneys, except when use
2376	2376	immunity is granted pursuant to Section 32A-4-11 NMSA 1978;
2377	2377	(9) any state government or tribal government
2378	2378	social services agency in any state or when, in the opinion of
2379	2379	the department, it is in the best interest of the child, a
2380	2380	governmental social services agency of another country;
2381	2381	(10) a foster parent, if the records are those
2382	2382	of a child currently placed with that foster parent or of a
2383	2383	child being considered for placement with that foster parent
2384	2384	and the records concern the social, medical, psychological or
2385	2385	educational needs of the child;
2386	2386	(11) school personnel involved with the child
2387	2387	if the records concern the child's social or educational needs;
2388	2388	(12) a grandparent, parent of a sibling,
2389	2389	relative or fictive kin, if the records or information pertain
2390	2390	to a child being considered for placement with that
2391	2391	grandparent, parent of a sibling, relative or fictive kin and
2392	2392	the records or information concern the social, medical,
2393	2393	psychological or educational needs of the child;
2394	2394	.229279.5
2395	2395	- 45 - underscored material = new
2396	2396	[bracketed material] = delete
2397	2397	1
2398	2398	2
2399	2399	3
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2401	2401	5
2402	2402	6
2403	2403	7
2404	2404	8
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2418	2418	22
2419	2419	23
2420	2420	24
2421	2421	25
2422	2422	(13) health care or mental health
2423	2423	professionals involved in the evaluation or treatment of the
2424	2424	child or of the child's parents, guardian, custodian or other
2425	2425	family members;
2426	2426	(14) protection and advocacy representatives
2427	2427	pursuant to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance
2428	2428	and Bill of Rights Act and the federal Protection and Advocacy
2429	2429	for Mentally Ill Individuals Amendments Act of 1991;
2430	2430	(15) children's safehouse organizations
2431	2431	conducting investigatory interviews of children on behalf of a
2432	2432	law enforcement agency or the department;
2433	2433	(16) representatives of the federal government
2434	2434	or their contractors authorized by federal statute or
2435	2435	regulation to review, inspect, audit or otherwise have access
2436	2436	to records and information pertaining to neglect or abuse
2437	2437	proceedings;
2438	2438	(17) any person or entity attending a meeting
2439	2439	arranged by the department to discuss the safety, well-being
2440	2440	and permanency of a child, when the parent or child, or parent
2441	2441	or legal custodian on behalf of a child younger than fourteen
2442	2442	years of age, has consented to the disclosure; and
2443	2443	(18) any other person or entity, by order of
2444	2444	the court, having a legitimate interest in the case or the work
2445	2445	of the court.
2446	2446	C. A parent, guardian or legal custodian whose
2447	2447	.229279.5
2448	2448	- 46 - underscored material = new
2449	2449	[bracketed material] = delete
2450	2450	1
2451	2451	2
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2475	2475	child has been the subject of an investigation of abuse or
2476	2476	neglect where no petition has been filed shall have the right
2477	2477	to inspect any medical report, psychological evaluation, law
2478	2478	enforcement reports or other investigative or diagnostic
2479	2479	evaluation; provided that any identifying information related
2480	2480	to the reporting party or any other party providing information
2481	2481	shall be deleted. The parent, guardian or legal custodian
2482	2482	shall also have the right to the results of the investigation
2483	2483	and the right to petition the court for full access to all
2484	2484	department records and information except those records and
2485	2485	information the department finds would be likely to endanger
2486	2486	the life or safety of any person providing information to the
2487	2487	department.
2488	2488	D. Whoever intentionally and unlawfully releases
2489	2489	any information or records closed to the public pursuant to the
2490	2490	Abuse and Neglect Act or releases or makes other unlawful use
2491	2491	of records in violation of that act is guilty of a petty
2492	2492	misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions
2493	2493	of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
2494	2494	E. The department shall promulgate rules for
2495	2495	implementing disclosure of records pursuant to this section and
2496	2496	in compliance with state and federal law and the Children's
2497	2497	Court Rules."
2498	2498	SECTION 16. Section 32A-8-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2499	2499	Chapter 77, Section 204, as amended) is amended to read:
2500	2500	.229279.5
2501	2501	- 47 - underscored material = new
2502	2502	[bracketed material] = delete
2503	2503	1
2504	2504	2
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2528	2528	"32A-8-2. PURPOSE OF ACT.--The purpose of the Citizen
2529	2529	Substitute Care Review Act is to provide a permanent system for
2530	2530	independent and objective monitoring [of children placed in the
2531	2531	custody] of the department by examining the policies,
2532	2532	procedures and practices of the department and, where
2533	2533	appropriate, specific cases to evaluate [the extent to which
2534	2534	the department is effectively ] its effectiveness in discharging
2535	2535	its child protection responsibilities and to meet federal
2536	2536	requirements for citizen review panels under the federal Child
2537	2537	Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act ."
2538	2538	SECTION 17. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
2539	2539	Review Act is enacted to read:
2540	2540	"[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Citizen
2541	2541	Substitute Care Review Act:
2542	2542	A. "board" means a substitute care review board of
2543	2543	volunteer members facilitated by council staff convened for the
2544	2544	purpose of reviews of designated cases or other related
2545	2545	activities deemed appropriate by the council;
2546	2546	B. "case" means an abuse or neglect case referred
2547	2547	to the department;
2548	2548	C. "council" means the substitute care advisory
2549	2549	council;
2550	2550	D. "identified adult" means an adult participating
2551	2551	in the fostering connections program or that program's
2552	2552	successor;
2553	2553	.229279.5
2554	2554	- 48 - underscored material = new
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2581	2581	E. "identified child" means a child who is:
2582	2582	(1) the subject of a referral of abuse and
2583	2583	neglect made to the department;
2584	2584	(2) receiving services from the department; or
2585	2585	(3) in the custody of the department due to
2586	2586	abuse and neglect proceedings;
2587	2587	F. "public member" means an individual who has been
2588	2588	appointed by the governor;
2589	2589	G. "substitute care" means custodial or residential
2590	2590	care for an identified child that is ordered or otherwise
2591	2591	sanctioned by the court and in which the child does not live
2592	2592	with either of the child's birth parents. "Substitute care"
2593	2593	includes foster care, kinship care or care within a group home,
2594	2594	residential treatment center, juvenile justice facility, semi-
2595	2595	independent living program or emergency shelter; and
2596	2596	H. "volunteer member" means an individual who has
2597	2597	met eligibility requirements to perform volunteer services for
2598	2598	the council."
2599	2599	SECTION 18. Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993,
2600	2600	Chapter 77, Section 206, as amended) is amended to read:
2601	2601	"32A-8-4. SUBSTITUTE CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL--MEMBERS--
2602	2602	COMPENSATION--RESPONSIBILITIES--ADVISORY COMMITTEE.--
2603	2603	A. The "substitute care advisory council" is
2604	2604	created [and, in accordance with the provisions of Section
2605	2605	9-1-7 NMSA 1978, is administratively attached to the regulation
2606	2606	.229279.5
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2634	2634	and licensing department. The general purpose of the council
2635	2635	is to oversee substitute care review boards in their monitoring
2636	2636	of children placed in the custody of the children, youth and
2637	2637	families department to identify systemic policy issues
2638	2638	regarding substitute care ] in the administrative office of the
2639	2639	courts. The council shall exercise its functions independently
2640	2640	and not under the control of the administrative office of the
2641	2641	courts. The council shall be composed of [nine persons ] ten
2642	2642	voting members, including:
2643	2643	(1) the secretary of public education [or the
2644	2644	secretary's designee];
2645	2645	(2) the secretary of [human services or the
2646	2646	secretary's designee] health care authority ;
2647	2647	(3) the secretary of finance and
2648	2648	administration [or the secretary's designee ];
2649	2649	(4) the secretary of health; [or the
2650	2650	secretary's designee;
2651	2651	(5) two public members, appointed by the
2652	2652	governor, who:
2653	2653	(a) are at least eighteen and no more
2654	2654	than thirty years of age at the time of appointment; and
2655	2655	(b) were previously placed in substitute
2656	2656	care;
2657	2657	(6) two public members, appointed by the
2658	2658	governor, who have expertise in the area of child welfare; and ]
2659	2659	.229279.5
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2687	2687	(5) the secretary of early childhood education
2688	2688	and care;
2689	2689	[(7)] (6) one children's court judge,
2690	2690	appointed by the governor; and
2691	2691	(7) four public members, two of whom have
2692	2692	expertise in the area of child welfare and two of whom have had
2693	2693	experience in abuse and neglect proceedings, including former
2694	2694	foster youth, biological parents, foster parents and adoptive
2695	2695	parents. At least one of the public members shall have
2696	2696	expertise in the Indian Family Protection Act and the federal
2697	2697	Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 .
2698	2698	B. [The council may hire staff and contract for
2699	2699	services to carry out the purposes of the Citizen Substitute
2700	2700	Care Review Act.] The secretary of children, youth and families
2701	2701	shall serve as a nonvoting member.
2702	2702	C. Except as provided pursuant to Paragraph [(7) ]
2703	2703	(6) of Subsection A and Subsection B of this section, a person
2704	2704	or a relative of a person employed by the department or a
2705	2705	district court shall not serve on the council.
2706	2706	[C.] D. Terms of office of public members of the
2707	2707	council shall be three years. Public members shall be eligible
2708	2708	for reappointment. In the event that a vacancy occurs among
2709	2709	the members of the council, the governor shall appoint another
2710	2710	person to serve the unexpired portion of the term.
2711	2711	E. A member of the council shall be entitled to
2712	2712	.229279.5
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2740	2740	receive per diem and mileage as provided for nonsalaried public
2741	2741	officers pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act; provided
2742	2742	that, if a different provision of that act applies to a member,
2743	2743	that member shall be paid pursuant to that provision. A member
2744	2744	of the council shall receive no other compensation, perquisite
2745	2745	or allowance.
2746	2746	[D.] F. The council shall select a chairperson, a
2747	2747	vice chairperson and other officers as it deems necessary.
2748	2748	[E.] G. The council shall meet no less than [twice
2749	2749	annually] quarterly and more frequently upon the call of the
2750	2750	chairperson.
2751	2751	H. The council shall, on or before October 1 of
2752	2752	each year, designate cases for review that involve children in
2753	2753	substitute care who:
2754	2754	(1) are under the age of five; or
2755	2755	(2) have remained in substitute care for
2756	2756	longer than six months.
2757	2757	I. The council may establish work groups and enter
2758	2758	into contracts, memoranda of understanding and joint powers
2759	2759	agreements to carry out the provisions of the Citizen
2760	2760	Substitute Care Review Act.
2761	2761	[F.] J. The council shall adopt reasonable rules
2762	2762	relating to the functions and procedures of [the substitute
2763	2763	care review boards and ] the council [in accordance with the
2764	2764	duties of the boards as provided in the Citizen Substitute Care
2765	2765	.229279.5
2766	2766	- 52 - underscored material = new
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2793	2793	Review Act]. These rules shall establish :
2794	2794	[(1) establish training requirements for
2795	2795	substitute care review board members;
2796	2796	(2) establish criteria for council designation
2797	2797	of cases for substitute care review board review;
2798	2798	(3) establish procedures for substitute care
2799	2799	review board review of designated cases;
2800	2800	(4) establish criteria for membership and
2801	2801	tenure on and operating procedures for substitute care review
2802	2802	boards;
2803	2803	(5) specify the information needed for
2804	2804	designated cases to be monitored by substitute care review
2805	2805	boards; and
2806	2806	(6) specify case information to be tracked and
2807	2807	reported to the council.
2808	2808	G. When adopting rules establishing criteria for
2809	2809	designation of cases for substitute care review board review,
2810	2810	the council shall weigh the importance of the following
2811	2811	factors, including:
2812	2812	(1) sibling placements;
2813	2813	(2) the frequency and severity of neglect or
2814	2814	abuse;
2815	2815	(3) the behavioral health status of household
2816	2816	members;
2817	2817	(4) the placement of children in households
2818	2818	.229279.5
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2846	2846	where there are no relatives of the children;
2847	2847	(5) data related to demographics; and
2848	2848	(6) relevant trend data ]
2849	2849	(1) procedures to ensure compliance with the
2850	2850	Open Meetings Act;
2851	2851	(2) initial and annual training requirements
2852	2852	for council staff;
2853	2853	(3) requirements for public participation,
2854	2854	including participation on work groups and boards;
2855	2855	(4) procedures for the council's review of
2856	2856	designated cases;
2857	2857	(5) procedures to provide for public outreach
2858	2858	and public comment to assess the impact of current child
2859	2859	protection procedures and practices on children and families in
2860	2860	the community; and
2861	2861	(6) other procedures to provide for compliance
2862	2862	with the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act and the federal
2863	2863	Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as it relates to
2864	2864	citizen review panels .
2865	2865	[H.] K. The council shall [review and coordinate
2866	2866	the activities of the substitute care review boards and make a
2867	2867	report with its recommendations to the department, the courts
2868	2868	and the appropriate legislative interim committees ] provide
2869	2869	periodic reports on the work of the council, including an
2870	2870	annual written report to the governor, the appropriate
2871	2871	.229279.5
2872	2872	- 54 - underscored material = new
2873	2873	[bracketed material] = delete
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2899	2899	legislative interim committee studying courts, corrections and
2900	2900	justice, the legislative finance committee, the legislative
2901	2901	health and human services committee, the department, the
2902	2902	administrative office of the courts and other persons,
2903	2903	organizations or agencies deemed appropriate. The annual
2904	2904	report shall be distributed electronically on or before
2905	2905	November 1 of each year [regarding statutes, rules, policies
2906	2906	and procedures relating to substitute care ]. This report shall
2907	2907	include [recommendations for any changes to substitute care
2908	2908	review boards.
2909	2909	I. Council members shall receive per diem and
2910	2910	mileage as provided for nonsalaried public officers in the Per
2911	2911	Diem and Mileage Act; provided that, if a different provision
2912	2912	of that act applies to a specific member, that member shall be
2913	2913	paid pursuant to that applicable provision. Members shall
2914	2914	receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
2915	2915	J. The council shall appoint by October 1 of each
2916	2916	year a six-member advisory committee from a list of substitute
2917	2917	care review board members that the substitute care review
2918	2918	boards shall nominate. The advisory council shall meet with
2919	2919	the council at least once per year to advise the council on
2920	2920	matters relating to substitute care review. Advisory committee
2921	2921	members shall serve terms of one year and may be reappointed ] a
2922	2922	summary of the activities of the council and recommendations to
2923	2923	improve child protective services at the state and local
2924	2924	.229279.5
2925	2925	- 55 - underscored material = new
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2952	2952	levels. Other reports regarding trends or topics deemed
2953	2953	necessary by the council may be provided to the governor, the
2954	2954	legislature, the department and the administrative office of
2955	2955	the courts."
2956	2956	SECTION 19. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
2957	2957	Review Act is enacted to read:
2958	2958	"[NEW MATERIAL] COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION--STAFFING.--
2959	2959	A. The council shall hire a director who:
2960	2960	(1) shall oversee, manage and direct
2961	2961	processing of cases filed or reviewed pursuant to the Citizen
2962	2962	Substitute Care Review Act, provide administrative support to
2963	2963	the council and conduct any other activities as deemed
2964	2964	necessary by the council to support its functions;
2965	2965	(2) shall act impartially in a nonpartisan
2966	2966	manner;
2967	2967	(3) shall promote public awareness of the
2968	2968	purpose and services of the council and the methods for
2969	2969	submitting requests for case review;
2970	2970	(4) shall employ staff for the council and fix
2971	2971	compensation of the staff;
2972	2972	(5) shall prepare a budgetary request to be
2973	2973	submitted through the administrative office of the courts; and
2974	2974	(6) may apply for and accept grants, gifts and
2975	2975	bequests from other states, federal and interstate agencies,
2976	2976	independent authorities, private firms, individuals and
2977	2977	.229279.5
2978	2978	- 56 - underscored material = new
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3005	3005	foundations for the purpose of carrying out the
3006	3006	responsibilities of the council.
3007	3007	B. The director shall possess the following
3008	3008	qualifications:
3009	3009	(1) a master's degree in social work and
3010	3010	possession of a license issued pursuant to the Social Work
3011	3011	Practice Act; or
3012	3012	(2) an active license to practice law issued
3013	3013	pursuant to rules promulgated by the supreme court; and
3014	3014	(3) at least five years' experience in child
3015	3015	welfare, with an emphasis on child abuse and neglect prevention
3016	3016	or abatement.
3017	3017	C. The director shall hire staff to carry out the
3018	3018	purposes of the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act, including
3019	3019	review of cases. Council staff providing professional services
3020	3020	shall possess:
3021	3021	(1) a bachelor's degree in social work,
3022	3022	psychology, guidance and counseling, education, sociology,
3023	3023	criminal justice, criminology or family studies and at least
3024	3024	two years of experience in child welfare administration with an
3025	3025	emphasis on child abuse and neglect prevention or abatement; or
3026	3026	(2) at least four years of experience combined
3027	3027	from:
3028	3028	(a) study at an accredited college or
3029	3029	university in a field related to child welfare; or
3030	3030	.229279.5
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3058	3058	(b) professional experience working in
3059	3059	the field of child welfare.
3060	3060	D. Council staff shall be required to complete
3061	3061	annual training directly relating to enhancing staff
3062	3062	proficiency, meeting job requirements and conducting case
3063	3063	reviews required pursuant to the Citizen Substitute Care Review
3064	3064	Act."
3065	3065	SECTION 20. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3066	3066	Review Act is enacted to read:
3067	3067	"[NEW MATERIAL] ATTORNEY GENERAL REPRESENTATION AND
3068	3068	CONSULTATION.--The attorney general shall advise and consult
3069	3069	with the council, acting pursuant to the Citizen Substitute
3070	3070	Care Review Act, and render legal services upon request of the
3071	3071	council."
3072	3072	SECTION 21. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3073	3073	Review Act is enacted to read:
3074	3074	"[NEW MATERIAL] VOLUNTEER MEMBER PARTICIPATION--RULES.--
3075	3075	A. The council shall promulgate rules relating to
3076	3076	volunteer member participation, which shall include provisions
3077	3077	for:
3078	3078	(1) efforts to recruit and retain volunteer
3079	3079	members who are broadly representative of the communities in
3080	3080	which they serve and to include volunteer members with
3081	3081	expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and
3082	3082	neglect and adult former victims of child abuse or neglect;
3083	3083	.229279.5
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3111	3111	(2) a membership process that includes
3112	3112	background checks and orientation training;
3113	3113	(3) ongoing training requirements;
3114	3114	(4) procedures to address actual, perceived or
3115	3115	possible conflicts of interest;
3116	3116	(5) a code of conduct; and
3117	3117	(6) procedures to maintain confidentiality of
3118	3118	information required to be kept confidential as required by
3119	3119	law.
3120	3120	B. Each volunteer member who meets the requirements
3121	3121	established by council rules shall participate at least once
3122	3122	quarterly in case reviews and other activities deemed
3123	3123	appropriate by council staff.
3124	3124	C. Volunteer members may receive per diem and
3125	3125	mileage as provided for nonsalaried public officers in the Per
3126	3126	Diem and Mileage Act; provided that if a different provision of
3127	3127	that act applies to a specific member, that member shall be
3128	3128	paid pursuant to that applicable provision. Members shall
3129	3129	receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance."
3130	3130	SECTION 22. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3131	3131	Review Act is enacted to read:
3132	3132	"[NEW MATERIAL] SUBSTITUTE CARE REVIEW BOARD
3133	3133	ESTABLISHMENT--CASE REVIEW.--
3134	3134	A. The council shall establish boards composed
3135	3135	entirely of volunteer members to review cases designated in
3136	3136	.229279.5
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3164	3164	accordance with council rules.
3165	3165	B. When a case has been designated for review
3166	3166	pursuant to Subsection H of Section 32A-8-4 NMSA 1978, the
3167	3167	staff of the council shall convene a board to review the case.
3168	3168	C. If a case reviewed by a board is a children's
3169	3169	court case, the staff of the council shall give the parties to
3170	3170	the case notice of the review and afford the parties to the
3171	3171	case an opportunity to provide input relevant to the review.
3172	3172	If the case involves an Indian child, notice shall additionally
3173	3173	be provided to persons afforded notice pursuant to the Indian
3174	3174	Family Protection Act.
3175	3175	D. After a board's review of a children's court
3176	3176	case, council staff shall submit a report of the board's
3177	3177	findings and recommendations to the children's court, the
3178	3178	department and the parties to the case. If the case involves
3179	3179	an Indian child, the report shall additionally be provided to
3180	3180	persons afforded notice pursuant to the Indian Family
3181	3181	Protection Act.
3182	3182	E. The department shall:
3183	3183	(1) acknowledge receipt of the report within
3184	3184	ten business days; and
3185	3185	(2) within thirty days of receipt, provide a
3186	3186	response to the board's findings and recommendations, including
3187	3187	plans for adopting the recommendations or taking alternative
3188	3188	action.
3189	3189	.229279.5
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3217	3217	F. Council staff and the department shall meet
3218	3218	quarterly, or as needed to work toward mutually agreed-upon
3219	3219	outcomes."
3220	3220	SECTION 23. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3221	3221	Review Act is enacted to read:
3222	3222	"[NEW MATERIAL] ACCESS TO RECORDS.--
3223	3223	A. Subject to state or federal law to the contrary,
3224	3224	council staff shall have access to, including the right to
3225	3225	inspect and copy, any records necessary to carry out council
3226	3226	responsibilities, including access to the following:
3227	3227	(1) social records, diagnostic evaluations,
3228	3228	psychiatric or psychological reports, video footage,
3229	3229	transcripts and audio records of a child's statement of abuse
3230	3230	or medical reports incident to an abuse or neglect proceeding;
3231	3231	(2) a record of an agency, a hospital, an
3232	3232	organization, a school, a person or an office, including the
3233	3233	clerk of the court, the department, a court-appointed special
3234	3234	advocate program, a public or private health care facility, a
3235	3235	medical or mental health care professional, a law enforcement
3236	3236	agency or other agency that provides services to children and
3237	3237	families;
3238	3238	(3) a record of an administrative hearing
3239	3239	conducted by the department and any findings or conclusions
3240	3240	resulting from such hearing; and
3241	3241	(4) a record of a private meeting with a child
3242	3242	.229279.5
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3270	3270	in protective custody or with an individual with knowledge of
3271	3271	the case or grievance.
3272	3272	B. The department shall establish procedures to
3273	3273	provide the requested records in a timely manner.
3274	3274	C. The department shall:
3275	3275	(1) establish procedures to provide the
3276	3276	requested records in a timely manner and to ensure staff
3277	3277	availability to provide input for case reviews; and
3278	3278	(2) ensure that its agents and contractors
3279	3279	provide requested records in a timely manner and ensure staff
3280	3280	availability to provide input for case reviews.
3281	3281	D. The department or its agent or contractor shall
3282	3282	not discharge, discriminate against in any manner or retaliate
3283	3283	against an employee, a volunteer or a contractor who, in good
3284	3284	faith, communicates with the council about a case review or
3285	3285	provision of records pursuant to this section."
3286	3286	SECTION 24. A new section of the Citizen Substitute Care
3287	3287	Review Act is enacted to read:
3288	3288	"[NEW MATERIAL] CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.--
3289	3289	A. Information obtained or generated by a member of
3290	3290	the council, a staff member of the council or a member of a
3291	3291	board for the purpose of performing duties in compliance with
3292	3292	the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act is not subject to the
3293	3293	provisions of the Inspection of Public Records Act.
3294	3294	B. The name, address or other personally
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3323	3323	identifiable information of a person whose records are released
3324	3324	to council staff are confidential.
3325	3325	C. A member of the council, a staff member of the
3326	3326	council or a member of a board with knowledge of a case that
3327	3327	was obtained pursuant to the Citizen Substitute Care Review Act
3328	3328	shall maintain that information as confidential unless:
3329	3329	(1) the identified child or identified adult
3330	3330	who is the subject of the case consents in writing to
3331	3331	disclosure of that information to another person;
3332	3332	(2) the identified child or identified adult
3333	3333	who is the subject of the case provides oral consent for
3334	3334	disclosure to another person that is immediately documented in
3335	3335	writing by council staff; or
3336	3336	(3) disclosure is ordered by a court."
3337	3337	SECTION 25. TEMPORARY PROVISION.--On July 1, 2025:
3338	3338	A. the functions, employees, money, appropriations,
3339	3339	records, equipment and other property of the regulation and
3340	3340	licensing department pertaining to the substitute advisory care
3341	3341	council shall be transferred from the regulation and licensing
3342	3342	department to the administrative office of the courts;
3343	3343	B. all contractual obligations pertaining to the
3344	3344	substitute advisory care council shall be deemed to be
3345	3345	contractual obligations of the administrative office of the
3346	3346	courts; and
3347	3347	C. statutory references to the substitute advisory
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3376	3376	care council or other functions transferred from the
3377	3377	registration and licensing department to the administrative
3378	3378	office of the courts shall be deemed to be references to the
3379	3379	administrative office of the courts.
3380	3380	SECTION 26. REPEAL.--Sections 32A-8-5 and 32A-8-6 NMSA
3381	3381	1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Sections 207 and 208, as
3382	3382	amended) are repealed.
3383	3383	SECTION 27. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the
3384	3384	provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
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3386	3386	.229279.5