New Mexico SB4: Child Best Interests Standard

What the bill says

From the enrolled text:

SB0004 SENATE BILL 4 57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2025 INTRODUCED BY Crystal Brantley and David M. Gallegos and Anthony L. Thornton and Joshua A. Sanchez and Nicole Tobiassen RELATING TO CHILDREN; PROVIDING A BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD STANDARD IN ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES. SECTION 1. A new section of the Abuse and Neglect Act is enacted to read: "[NEW MATERIAL] BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD STANDARD.--In all matters and proceedings pursuant to the Abuse and Neglect Act, the following factors shall be considered in determining the best interests of the child: A. the child's age and physical and mental vulnerabilities; B. the frequency and nature of any out-of-home placements for the child; C. the frequency, magnitude and other circumstances of the harm to the child; D. any repeated harm suffered by the child; E. any fear by the child of living in or returning to the home from which the child was removed, current placement or potential placement; F. the results of psychiatric, psychological or developmental evaluations of the child, the child's parents or other family members; G. any history of abusive conduct by the child's family or others who have access to the child's home; H. any history of substantiated claims of substance abuse by the child's family or others who …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Jay C. Block (R, SD-012) · primary sponsor
• Pat Boone (R, SD-027) · primary sponsor
• Craig W. Brandt (R, SD-040)
• Crystal Diamond Brantley (R, SD-035)
• Candy Spence Ezzell (R, SD-032)
• David M. Gallegos (R, SD-041)
• Steve D. Lanier (R, SD-002)
• Gabriel Ramos (R, SD-028)
• Joshua A. Sanchez (R, SD-029)
• William E. Sharer (R, SD-001)
• Anthony L. Thornton (R, SD-019)
• Nicole Tobiassen (R, SD-021)

Common questions

What is SB4?

SB4 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2025 1st Special Session): Child Best Interests Standard.

What is the status of SB4?

Introduced as of October 1, 2025.

Who sponsored SB4?

Jay C. Block (R, SD-012), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB4?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=4&year=25s