Bill > SB305

This bill establishes a Quality Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention Task Force comprised of 13 members representing various stakeholders, including legislative leaders, judicial representatives, service providers, foster families, a youth representative, tribal members, and others. The task force, to be appointed by August 1, 2025, will complete its work by July 1, 2026, with a mandate to collaborate with a higher education institution to research and develop strategies for improving foster parent recruitment and retention. Specifically, the task force will conduct an innovative approach to address systemic challenges in the foster care system, study successful models from other rural states like Utah, and examine ways to reduce the number of children in temporary office placements. The task force members will receive per diem and mileage compensation, and they are required to submit a final report to the legislative health and human services committee, the legislative finance committee, and the governor by July 1, 2026. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the Children, Youth and Families Department for fiscal year 2026, with any unused funds to be returned to the general fund.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=305&year=25