SENATE BILL 26

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Jane M. Garcia

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. Seventy-two thousand dollars ($72,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the children, youth and families department for expenditure in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 for the purpose of providing services to grandparents raising grandchildren in Dona Ana county. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert to the general fund.

          B. The children, youth and families department shall provide services that offer grandparent caregivers:

                (1) the opportunity to meet with an experienced professional to confront issues and barriers and develop an action plan to address their needs;

                (2) support in establishing the proper legal relationships between grandparent caregivers and their grandchildren so that they may act in the best interests of their grandchildren;

                (3) support in obtaining financial assistance for themselves and their grandchildren, when eligible;

                (4) access to mental and physical health services for themselves and their grandchildren; and

                (5) support in obtaining after-school care, transportation and tutoring for their grandchildren.

          C. As used in this section, "grandparent caregiver" means a grandparent or great-grandparent who lives in the same household and is the primary caregiver for one or more of that grandparent's or great-grandparent's own grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

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