HOUSE MEMORIAL 59

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Susan K. Herrera and Pamelya Herndon and Rebecca Dow

and Patricia A. Lundstrom and Andrea Romero

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER PARENTS.

     WHEREAS, hundreds of New Mexicans serve the state and its children as foster care parents and resource families for children in the custody of the children, youth and families department; and

     WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families provide children in their care with unconditional love and support, emotional safety, educational opportunities, stability and, in many instances, the opportunity to be children without the burden of adult responsibilities; and

     WHEREAS, children in foster care rely on their foster parents and resource families to accept them for who they are and where they come from and to provide the necessary support and encouragement to set goals for their futures and to believe in the power of their dreams; and

     WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families open their homes, hearts and lives to children who need love and support while maintaining respect for, and fostering connections to, the children's cultural communities and religions; and

     WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families selflessly bestow opportunities for educational, emotional, mental and physical growth to the children in their care so that each child is treated with dignity and respect, while preparing the children to be confident, respectful, responsible and self-sufficient adults; and

     WHEREAS, despite their dedication and service to the state's most vulnerable children, foster care parents and resource families in New Mexico can incur substantial personal expenses as a result of providing care for children in the custody of the children, youth and families department;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department be requested to conduct a study into fair compensation, including a cost-of-living allowance, for foster parents in New Mexico and to report its conclusions and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by November 30, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families and the legislative health and human services committee.

- 3 -