Legislation To Protect Children, Require Mandatory Family Services In Abuse Cases Passes House

Bill Would Make It Mandatory For Parents To Receive Court-Ordered Interventions In Child Abuse
Cases
Santa Fe, NM Legislation that would make it mandatory for parents or guardians to receive courtordered family services when there is strong evidence of child neglect or abuseeven when the victim is
not taken into state custodywas passed by the House of Representatives in a 57-11 vote.
With this bill passing the House floor, we are one step closer to adding another layer of protection for
our children, said Rep. Fajardo, the bills sponsor. It is my hope that the Senate will come together and
make this legislation a priority. Our children deserve it.
The services which can include drug and alcohol counseling, parenting courses, or anger management
classes are used as interventions to help identify a problem and determine the needs of the child and
family.
Fajardo's legislation would make it mandatory for families to receive services in abuse or neglect cases
that require intervention, but may not rise to the level of removing the child from the home. This bill
gives the family a chance to actively engage in improving the childs home life, ensuring that a family
does not have to be broken up in order to receive the help they need. Ultimately, the services are meant to
strengthen the family without splitting the child from his or her home.
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