RELATING TO THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT; ESTABLISHING DUTIES IN REGARD TO CHILD-CARE REIMBURSEMENT; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 9-2A-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1992, Chapter 57, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:

"9-2A-8. DEPARTMENT--ADDITIONAL DUTIES.--In addition to other duties provided by law or assigned to the department by the governor, the department shall:

A. develop priorities for state services and resources arising out of state policy and local planning processes;

B. strengthen collaboration and coordination in state and local services for children, youth and families;

C. develop and maintain a statewide database, including client tracking of services for children, youth and families;

D. develop and disseminate a readily accessible resource database;

E. develop and use community or regional councils to establish community priorities and service strategies in order to enhance community-level decision-making and creative solutions;

F. develop standards of service that focus on coordination, monitoring and accountability, including the development of a plan for both process and outcome assessment and evaluation;

G. review and comment on policies of other departments that affect children, youth and families, including assisting in the development of common contracting procedures and common service definitions;

H. develop a uniform system of access to services for children, youth and families;

I. enact regulations to control disposition and placement of children under the Children's Code, including regulations to limit or prohibit the out-of-state placement of children, including those who are developmentally disabled or mentally disordered, when in-state alternatives are available; and

J. develop reimbursement criteria for licensed child-care centers and licensed home providers establishing that accreditation by a department-approved national accrediting body is sufficient qualification for the child-care center or home provider to receive the highest reimbursement rate paid by the department."

HB 736

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