NM HM1

Requests the Legislative Finance Committee create a bipartisan task force of up to 18 members to study whether to amend New Mexico's constitution to make the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) independent from the Governor's office, governed instead by a legislature-appointed commission

Cites poor department performance including a 25.4% vacancy rate, child maltreatment rates 70% higher than the national average (12.6 vs 7.4 per 1,000 children), and a 15% repeat maltreatment rate compared to the 9% national benchmark

Notes the department inappropriately used the majority of a $20 million appropriation in FY 2025 and remains one of the few states without an approved federal Family First Prevention Services Act plan, missing federal reimbursement opportunities

Task force would study advantages/disadvantages of the transition, costs of a new commission structure, comparison with similar structures in other states, impact on tribal governments, and legal/constitutional requirements

Recommendations due to the legislature and governor by November 15, 2026 for consideration during the 58th legislature's first session