New Mexico 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

SB 56 — CREATE CHILD WELFARE AUTHORITY

Last action — action postponed indefinitely

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill creates the Child Welfare Authority and transfers responsibilities, powers, and resources from the Children, Youth and Families Department to this new authority.

  • Section 32A-1-4

    C. "authority" or "department" means the child welfare authority; → C. "authority" means the child welfare authority;

    The definition of 'authority' is refined to specify that it only refers to the Child Welfare Authority.

  • Section 32A-1-4

    H. "department" means the children, youth and families department, unless otherwise specified; → H. "department" means the child welfare authority, unless otherwise specified;

    The definition of 'department' is updated to refer to the new Child Welfare Authority.

  • 32A-1A-1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--Chapter 32A, Article 1A NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Child Welfare Authority Act".

    A new short title for the Child Welfare Authority Act is established.

  • 32A-1A-2. [NEW MATERIAL] PURPOSE OF CHILD WELFARE AUTHORITY.--The purpose of the authority is to: A. provide an independent, accredited state agency governed by a board of regents to administer the state's child welfare and juvenile justice programs formerly administered by the children, youth and families department and other child and family programs assigned to it by law; and B. cooperate and collaborate with other state agencies and institutions, judicial agencies and courts, school districts and local governments to establish a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated child welfare system.

    The purpose of the Child Welfare Authority is defined, including its responsibilities and collaborative role.

  • 32A-1A-3. [NEW MATERIAL] CHILD WELFARE AUTHORITY CREATED--BOARD OF REGENTS--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--A. The "child welfare authority" is created as an adjunct agency of the executive branch of state government. The authority shall be governed by the board of regents. B. The "board of regents" of the authority is created and consists of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. No more than four members shall be appointed from the same political party.

    The bill establishes the Child Welfare Authority as an executive branch agency and creates a governing board of regents.

Action History

  1. action postponed indefinitely

  2. Sent to Senate Committees' Committee & Senate Rules Committee & Senate Finance Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 111 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (111)

111 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 111 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 56?
SB 56 is sponsored by Michael Padilla (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 56?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 21, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 56?
Track SB 56 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 56

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 56

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →