Chapter 32A, Article 4 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Abuse and Neglect Act".
History: 1978 Comp., § 32A-4-1, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 77, § 95; 2016, ch. 54, § 1.
Cross references. — For provisions of Safe Haven for Infants Act, see 24-22-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.
For abuse of a child, see 30-6-1 NMSA 1978.
For the Kinship Guardianship Act, see 40-10B-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.
The 2016 amendment, effective May 18, 2016, after "Chapter", deleted "32" and added "32A".
Act not unconstitutionally vague. — Abuse and Neglect Act is not unconstitutionally vague. State ex rel. Children, Youth & Families Dept. v. Shawna C., 2005-NMCA-066, 137 N.M. 687, 114 P.3d 367.
Double jeopardy. — The New Mexico constitution and double jeopardy statute, Section 30-1-10 NMSA 1978, do not prohibit the state from prosecuting defendants for child abuse because CYFD previously investigated defendants for child abuse and the tribal court previously held a custody hearing on the same issues. In the previous proceedings, the civil sanctions imposed on the defendant were remedial rather than punitive. State v. Diggs, 2009-NMCA-099, 147 N.M. 122, 217 P.3d 608, cert. denied, 2009-NMCERT-007, 147 N.M. 362, 223 P.3d 359.
Because the statutory scheme of the Abuse and Neglect Act is unitary in nature, the process due at each stage should be evaluated in light of the process received throughout the proceedings. State ex rel. Children, Youth & Families Dep't. v. Maria C., 2004-NMCA-083, 136 N.M. 53, 94 P.3d 796.
Parent has constitutional right to fair notice and opportunity to participate in all critical stages of abuse and neglect proceedings. State ex rel. Children, Youth & Families Dep't. v. Maria C., 2004-NMCA-083, 136 N.M. 53, 94 P.3d 796.
District court has affirmative duty to ensure the parents' due process rights are protected from the initiation of abuse and neglect proceedings. State ex rel. Children, Youth & Families Dep't. v. Maria C., 2004-NMCA-083, 136 N.M. 53, 94 P.3d 796.
Structure 2021 New Mexico Statutes
Article 4 - Child Abuse and Neglect
Section 32A-4-1 - Short title.
Section 32A-4-2 - Definitions.
Section 32A-4-4 - Complaints; referral; preliminary inquiry.
Section 32A-4-4.1 - Multilevel response system.
Section 32A-4-6 - Taking into custody; penalty.
Section 32A-4-7 - Release or delivery from custody.
Section 32A-4-8 - Place of temporary custody.
Section 32A-4-9 - Indian child placement; preferences.
Section 32A-4-10 - Basic rights.
Section 32A-4-11 - Use immunity.
Section 32A-4-12 - Protective orders.
Section 32A-4-13 - Contempt power.
Section 32A-4-14 - Change in placement.
Section 32A-4-15 - Petition; authorization to file.
Section 32A-4-16 - Ex-parte custody orders.
Section 32A-4-17 - Summons; content.
Section 32A-4-17.1 - Notice to grandparents and relatives.
Section 32A-4-18 - Custody hearings; time limitations; notice; probable cause.
Section 32A-4-19 - Adjudicatory hearings; time limitations.
Section 32A-4-20 - Conduct of hearings; findings; dismissal; dispositional matters; penalty.
Section 32A-4-21 - Neglect or abuse predisposition studies, reports and examinations.
Section 32A-4-22 - Disposition of adjudicated abused or neglected child.
Section 32A-4-25 - Periodic judicial review of dispositional judgments.
Section 32A-4-25.1 - Permanency hearings; permanency review hearings.
Section 32A-4-25.2 - Transition services.
Section 32A-4-25.3 - Discharge hearing.
Section 32A-4-26 - Parental responsibility.
Section 32A-4-27 - Intervention; persons permitted to intervene.
Section 32A-4-28 - Termination of parental rights; adoption decree.
Section 32A-4-29 - Termination procedure.
Section 32A-4-30 - Attorney fees.
Section 32A-4-31 - Permanent guardianship of a child.
Section 32A-4-32 - Permanent guardianship; procedure.
Section 32A-4-33 - Confidentiality; records; penalty.
Section 32A-4-33.1 - Records release when a child dies.
Section 32A-4-34 - Duties of employees.
Section 32A-4-35 - Appointment or change of educational decision maker.