House approves three CYFD bills, setting up possible showdown with Governor's Office

SANTA FE — The New Mexico House on Tuesday gave overwhelming approval to three bills dealing with the state’s child welfare agency, setting up a possible showdown with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office.

The governor has expressed opposition to proposals aimed at increasing outside oversight of the Children, Youth and Families Department, saying they could create tension and hurt the state’s efforts to recruit and retain new workers.

But lawmakers say the structural changes are needed amid ongoing CYFD staffing issues and a worsening state rate of repeat child mistreatment.

All three bills debated Tuesday in the House were approved without a single “no” vote.

One of the bills, House Bill 5, would create a new Office of the Child Advocate that would be housed in Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office. The office would be tasked with investigating complaints regarding children in CYFD custody, among other duties.

Rep. Michelle Abeyta, D-To’hajilee, one of the bill’s sponsors, told the Journal the legislation would provide a way for children’s voices to be heard.

“Our children who are in CYFD custody don’t have anyone to advocate for them,” she said in an interview after Tuesday’s vote.

Abeyta was largely raised by her grandmother, and she said she and her husband are helping raise two of her nephews under a kinship care program.

Those experiences, she said, have given her a deeper understanding of the challenges many families face and the resolve to push for changes.

However, the three approved bills still must win approval in the Senate before the 60-day session ends March 22 in order to land on the governor’s desk.

A Lujan Grisham spokesman said Tuesday it’s premature to discuss which bills might be vetoed, but CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados expressed opposition to the three proposals approved by the House.

“New Mexico’s most vulnerable children and the dedicated CYFD professionals who work tirelessly to protect and support them rely on us to advocate for legislation that strengthens our child welfare system,” Casados said in a statement. “Unfortunately, these three bills fall short of that goal.”

“I’m hopeful the Senate will listen to the experts’ concerns and give us equal opportunity to share our perspective in committee,” she added.

The governor said recently there’s “vast” disagreement between her office and legislators over what changes to CYFD should look like.

Lujan Grisham has staunchly opposed efforts to increase outside oversight of the agency in past years, instead ordering the creation of a new advisory council within CYFD.

Despite the governor’s opposition, several of the bills dealing with New Mexico’s child welfare system have drawn bipartisan support during this year’s session.

House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, said Tuesday lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to enact structural changes to CYFD during previous legislative sessions.

”It’s been needed for so many years,” she said.