Bill would pay New Mexico parents monthly for children outside state programs

The early childhood education and care department would make monthly payments to eligible parents or guardians. The amounts are $2,500 monthly for an infant under 24 months, $1,975 for a toddler ages 24 to under 36 months, and $1,375 for a preschool-age child ages three through five. Parent includes a legal guardian. The child must not be enrolled in a state-funded child care or pre-kindergarten program. Applicants must document the child's birth or guardianship, their relationship to the child, New Mexico residency, and the child's non-enrollment, and say where to send the payment. Parents who willfully or knowingly submit fraudulent documents are ineligible. If more than one eligible parent applies, the payment may be split evenly; a parent with sole custody must receive the full payment. The department must decide within 60 calendar days after receiving a complete application. If it approves the application, it must promptly make the payment.