New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB126: GUARDIAN AD LITEM CAPACITY
Status: In committee, January 23, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to children; amending the children's code; providing that a guardian ad litem shall not serve as guardian ad litem for more than twenty children at the same time; making conforming amendments.
From the introduced text, January 23, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO CHILDREN; AMENDING THE CHILDREN'S CODE; PROVIDING THAT A GUARDIAN AD LITEM SHALL NOT SERVE AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR MORE THAN TWENTY CHILDREN AT THE SAME TIME; MAKING CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 32A-1-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 77, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read: "32A-1-7. GUARDIAN AD LITEM--POWERS AND DUTIES.-- A. A guardian ad litem shall zealously represent [the] a child's best interests in [the] a proceeding for which the guardian ad litem has been appointed and in any subsequent appeals. B. Unless excused by a court, a guardian ad litem appointed to represent a child's best interests shall continue .233120.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ the representation in any subsequent appeals. C. Any party may petition the court for an order to remove a guardian ad litem on the grounds that the guardian ad litem has a conflict of interest or is unwilling or unable to zealously represent [the] a child's best interests. D. After consultation with the child a guardian ad litem represents, the guardian ad litem shall convey the child's declared position to the court at every hearing. E. Unless a child's circumstances render the following duties and responsibilities unreasonable, a guardian ad …
Sponsors
- Antonio Maestas (D, 26) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Subjects: DOMESTIC RELATIONS (marriage, divorce, custody, support), CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Common questions
- What is SB126?
- SB126 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): GUARDIAN AD LITEM CAPACITY.
- What does SB126 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to children; amending the children's code; providing that a guardian ad litem shall not serve as guardian ad litem for more than twenty children at the same time; making conforming amendments.
- What is the status of SB126?
- In committee as of January 23, 2026. Latest action: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC (January 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB126?
- Antonio Maestas (D, 26).
- Where is the official record for SB126?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=126&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.