AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILDREN; EXTENDING THE TIME FOR TEMPORARY VOLUNTARY PLACEMENTS OF CHILDREN OUTSIDE THE HOME; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. Section 32A-3A-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Section 69) is amended to read:

     "32A-3A-7. VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT--TIME LIMITATION.--

          A. No child shall remain in voluntary placement for longer than one hundred eighty consecutive days or for more than one hundred eighty days in any calendar year; provided that a child may remain in voluntary placement up to an additional one hundred eighty consecutive days upon order of the court after the filing of a petition by the department for extension of voluntary placement, a hearing and a finding that additional voluntary placement is in the best interests of the child.

          B. In no event shall a child remain in voluntary placement for a period in excess of three hundred sixty-five days in any two-year period.

          C. Any placement described in this section shall not be considered abandonment by a parent, guardian or custodian or other family member."

     Section 2. Section 32A-3A-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Section 70) is amended to read:

     "32A-3A-8. DUTY TO FILE A PETITION.--If any child has remained in voluntary placement for longer than three hundred sixty-five days in any two-year period and the parent, guardian or custodian of the child refuses to or cannot accept the child back into the parent's, guardian's or custodian's custody, the department shall immediately file a petition alleging that the child is a neglected child or that the child's family needs court-ordered family services."

     Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.