SENATE BILL 130

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Candace Gould

AN ACT

RELATING TO FAMILIES; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE CHILDREN'S CODE TO REQUIRE THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF DRIVER EDUCATION, LICENSURE AND MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Children's Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT--DRIVER EDUCATION--LICENSURE--MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE.--

          A. To the extent that funding is available, the department shall establish a program to pay the cost of the following on behalf of children in out-of-home care:

                (1) driver education, for children in out-of-home care who live in school districts where driver education is not provided free of charge to students enrolled in those districts;

                (2) motor vehicle driver's licensure and other costs incidental to driver's licensure; and

                (3) motor vehicle insurance for children in out-of-home care who have successfully completed a driver education program.

          B. If a caregiver adds a child to the caregiver's existing motor vehicle insurance policy, the amount paid to the caregiver or approved purchaser shall not exceed the increase in cost attributable to the addition of the child to the policy.

          C. Payment shall be made to eligible recipients in the order of eligibility until available funds are exhausted. If a child determined to be eligible reaches permanency status or turns eighteen years of age, the program may pay for that child to complete a driver education program and obtain a driver's license for a maximum of six months after the date the child reaches permanency status or six months after the date the child turns eighteen years of age."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the children, youth and families department for expenditure in fiscal year 2020 to fund driver education, motor vehicle driver's licensure and motor vehicle insurance for children in out-of-home placements. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2020 shall revert to the general fund.

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