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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 8
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
William P. Soules
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO
BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 25 TO ESTABLISH RIGHTS OF CHILDREN TO
INCLUDE HEALTH CARE, NUTRITION, SAFE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION TO
ACCESS SERVICES, HOME VISITATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS,
FULLY RESOURCED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS,
YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND ATTAINMENT OF SKILLS FOR QUALITY
EMPLOYMENT; AND TO REQUIRE ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF
LAWS TO PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 2 of the
constitution of New Mexico by adding a new Section 25 to read:
"A. Children have the following rights:
(1) the right to medical and dental health
care that is timely and accessible;
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(2) the right to behavioral health care that
is solution-focused and culturally sensitive, available to all
children's families and household members;
(3) the right to nutritious food without
having to endure hunger, food insecurity or stigma;
(4) the right to stable, healthy and safe
housing with electricity, plumbing, heat and internet access;
(5) the right to transportation in order to
reach educational, recreational and vital services;
(6) the right to live in a community that
provides home visitation programs starting at birth to ensure
safe households, parental support and education and navigation
to local vital services;
(7) the right to early childhood learning
programs that prepare children for school;
(8) the right to fully resourced community
schools, with staffing to ensure an enriching academic and
cultural experience, as well as a school-based health center to
provide medical, dental and mental health care to students and
family members;
(9) the right to youth mentorship programs in
many forms in order to support recreational activities and
strengthen physical health, academic skills and interpersonal
communication skills; and
(10) the right to acquire all the skills
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needed to maintain quality employment, including education
aligned with job markets and job readiness and placement
programs.
B. The provisions of this amendment shall not take
effect until the legislature enacts laws to implement this
amendment."
SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution
shall be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection at the next general election or at any special
election prior to that date that may be called for that
purpose.
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