Bill > SB67

This bill establishes the "best interests of the child" as the primary and controlling standard for all judicial and Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) actions in abuse and neglect cases, prioritizing the child's health, safety, and overall well-being above all other considerations. It amends existing laws to ensure that child safety is paramount, clarifies what constitutes "aggravated circumstances" in abuse and neglect cases, and mandates that a child's guardian ad litem (a court-appointed representative for a child) and attorney must zealously advocate for the child's best interests. The bill also broadens the definition of "family unit" to include more than just the biological or original family, and requires written findings in court decisions to explain why a chosen placement or plan is in the child's best interests. Furthermore, it sets a deadline for the CYFD to adopt rules to implement these changes and specifies that these provisions will apply to all pending and future abuse and neglect cases.

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=67&year=26