Bill > HB304

This bill establishes a program where the early childhood education and care department will provide monthly payments directly to parents for children who are not enrolled in state-funded child care or pre-kindergarten programs, with specific amounts for infants ($2,500), toddlers ($1,975), and preschool-age children ($1,375). To receive these payments, parents must submit an application with documentation proving the child's birth or guardianship, their relationship to the child, their residency in the state, confirmation that the child is not in a state-funded program, and their preferred payment method. The department has sixty days to approve or deny applications, and if denied, must provide the reasons. Parents who knowingly submit fraudulent information will be ineligible for payments. If multiple parents are eligible, the payment can be split, but a parent with sole custody receives the full amount. For the purposes of this bill, "child" is defined by age ranges (infant: 0-24 months, toddler: 24-36 months, preschool-age: 3-5 years), and "parent" includes legal guardians.

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=304&year=26