Martinez speaks on proposed CYFD legislation. (Pat Vasquez-Cunningham/Journal)
Gov. Susana Martinez today announced her support for state legislation that would close a potentially dangerous loophole in the current procedure for placing children in state custody with relatives or family friends.
The legislation, to be introduced in the coming session, would add to the New Mexico Children’s Code. Under the current statute, the state removes children from their homes if their parents are unfit, then places them with foster parents (who undergo an intensive background check process that can last 6 months) or with relatives or family friends. The relatives or family friends still go through an emergency background check, which can take a few weeks.
This causes a problem for Children, Youth and Families Department workers: choose to put children with relatives who may turn out to be unfit caregivers themselves, and remove the children again, or place the children in foster care for a few weeks before moving them in with relatives.
At a time when children need lots of stability, neither is good.
The legislation, announced by Martinez at the annual Children’s Law Institute in Albuquerque, would give CYFD access to a federal database for a quick check of the relatives, giving them immediate information to use when deciding where to place children in state custody.
-- Email the reporter at mandazola@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3881
