House Passes More Child Well-Being Legislation
House approves bills to protect and improve child well-being with strong bipartisan support
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed several bills to safeguard the well-being of children and families in the state of New Mexico.
Senate Bill 283, which passed unanimously, would ensure that children in the care of New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) receive their full federal benefits. The bill would require that CYFD maintain existing benefits the child has and apply for additional benefits if the child is eligible. The agency would also be responsible for establishing accounts for kids to maintain their benefits and providing them with financial literacy training so they are able to manage the accounts themselves when they leave custody.
SB 283 also prohibits CYFD from using a child’s federal benefits to reimburse the department for the cost of their care.
“No child should miss out on their federal benefits simply because they are in the care of CYFD,” said House sponsor Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque). “Senate Bill 283 makes clear that CYFD is responsible for protecting these assets so they’re available for young people to use when they enter adulthood.”
SB 283 will now head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill is also sponsored by Senators Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque), Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque), and Steve Lanier (R-Aztec).
Today, the House also unanimously passed House Bill 343. This bipartisan bill, which would make updates to CARA (Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act), now moves to the Senate.
Additionally, the House passed Senate Bill 417 by a vote of 62-3, to streamline the adoption process for children conceived through assisted reproductive methods. This bill is now headed tothe Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
This session, House Democrats are focused on improving the well-being of New Mexico’s children and families.
In addition to the measures advanced today, the House has passed legislation to:
Create an independent Office of the Child Advocate to provide greater independent oversight of CYFD (HB 5)
Require CYFD workers to retain and back up all electronic records, which is critical for transparency and oversight, particularly in cases where a child is harmed, so processes can be reviewed and potentially improved going forward (HB 203)
Strengthen plans of care for substance-exposed newborns, move responsibility for the CARA (Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act) program from CYFD to the Healthcare Authority, and create a nominating committee to vet CYFD Cabinet Secretary candidates (HB 205)
Expand prevention and rehabilitation services for at-risk youth in New Mexico (HB 255)
Provide a head start at financial independence for every child born in New Mexico, by establishing “baby bonds” that would generate interest throughout the individual’s childhood and which could be used for education, housing, entrepreneurship costs, or investment opportunities when the child graduates from high school (HB 7)
This year’s budget, House Bill 2, which has also passed the House, makes key investments in children and families, including:
Expanding access to medication assisted treatment for juveniles in CYFD’s care
Dedicating $4 million to a Next Generation Fund, which would work with community organizations on youth development and family stability projects across New Mexico
Improving food security with $10 million in annual funding for food banks
Allocating $4.7 billion in recurring funding for public education, a 6% increase
Increasing funding to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department by $170 million, or 21.6%, to greatly expand pre-K, childcare assistance, and home visiting
Directing $110 million to targeted housing development, including transitional housing, and makes $45.9 million available to housing providers to focus on specialized housing solutions and a strategic response to homelessness
Delivering $15 billion for Medicaid and other critical healthcare services
Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
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