New Mexico bill would place child welfare under a new authority

The bill would create a state Child Welfare Authority, governed by a board of regents, to run child welfare and juvenile justice programs. The governor would appoint seven board members, subject to Senate approval. The board would appoint a state superintendent, also subject to Senate approval, to manage the authority. The governor must appoint the board by August 15, 2026. The authority provisions would take effect January 1, 2027.

The bill would transfer the department's functions, money, property, records, agreements, and contracts to the authority. The transfer covers the Children, Youth and Families Department, including its agreements with tribes. Department rules would remain in place as authority rules until the authority changes or repeals them. The transfers would occur January 1, 2027.

The authority would coordinate services, track services in a statewide database, set child placement rules, and review service quality. The duties cover child and family services, including children's mental health and substance use services; the authority would coordinate with the health care authority and the department of health. Placement rules could limit or prohibit sending children out of state when in-state options are available. Public performance reports must not identify children, families, or agency employees. The authority provisions would take effect January 1, 2027.