SENATE BILL 470

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; REQUIRING THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO DEVOTE A PORTION OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO FAMILY FORMATION AND RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the New Mexico Works Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] FAMILY FORMATION AND RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROGRAMS.--

          A. In fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, at least one percent of the federal block grant for the state's temporary assistance for needy families programs, which provides for a portion of the grant to be spent on programs and services that encourage family formation, marriage and responsible fatherhood, shall be spent on programs to enhance family formation and responsible fatherhood.

          B. Family formation programs include:

                (1) educational programs in high schools on the value of marriage, relationship skills and budgeting;

                (2) marriage education, marriage skills and relationship skills programs that may include parenting skills, financial management, conflict resolution and job and career advancement for non-married pregnant women and non-married expectant fathers; 

                (3) premarital education, marriage skills training and relationship skills programs for engaged couples and couples or individuals interested in marriage;

                (4) marriage enhancement and marriage skills training programs for married couples;

                (5) divorce reduction programs that teach relationship skills; and

                (6) marriage mentoring programs that use married couples as role models and mentors in at-risk communities.

          C. Responsible fatherhood programs include programs that:

                (1) promote or sustain marriage, by providing:

                     (a) information about the benefits of marriage and two-parent involvement for children;

                     (b) information about enhancing relationship skills;

                     (c) education regarding how to control aggressive behavior;

                     (d) information on domestic violence and child abuse;

                     (e) marriage preparation programs;

                     (f) premarital counseling;

                     (g) skills-based marriage education; and

                     (h) family financial planning seminars;

                (2) promote responsible parenting by providing training such as skills-based parenting education; and

                (3) foster economic stability by helping fathers improve their economic status through work first services, job search, job training, subsidized employment, job retention and job enhancement.

          D. The federal funds for family formation and responsible fatherhood programs shall be administered under contract with a state public post-secondary educational institution that has demonstrated success in administering temporary assistance for needy families programs, such as work force development programs, in both the north and south of the state.

          E. Family formation and responsible fatherhood programs shall offer at least eight hours of education or training to individuals or couples, using evidence-based curricula, and shall develop a domestic violence protocol in conjunction with a local domestic violence program.

          F. The secretary may promulgate rules for family formation and responsible fatherhood programs.

          G. The secretary shall report annually through 2014 to the interim legislative health and human services committee on family formation and responsible fatherhood programs and funding." 

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