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SB 206NEW MEXICOSession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

New Mexico bill authorizes safe haven baby boxes and establishes 90-day reunification window for surrendered infants

Original title: RELINQUISHMENT OF INFANTS AT SAFE HAVEN BOXES

Last action · January 30, 2026: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJCSponsors: Jay Block and 12 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

Senate Bill 206 permits parents to anonymously surrender newborns in certified es or with staff at designated safe haven sites without facing criminal prosecution for abandonment. The measure grants to the Children, Youth and Families Department, requires parents seeking reunification to contact the department within 90 days, and mandates the filing of a motion to terminate parental rights if no contact occurs within that timeframe.

Why it matters

Parents surrendering an infant can remain anonymous and leave safe haven sites without being pursued, while safe haven sites installing baby boxes gain immunity from civil and criminal liability for accepting the infant.

Background

The State of New Mexico governs child welfare and family law through statutes including the Safe Haven for Infants Act and the Abuse and Neglect Act. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Children, Youth and Families Department

The department assumes emergency custody of relinquished infants, conducts investigations, handles Medicaid enrollment, and files petitions or motions to terminate parental rights.

Directly affected

Safe haven sites

Hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and fire stations must accept relinquished infants, provide necessary medical services, notify the state department, and gain civil and criminal liability immunity.

Directly affected

Parents surrendering an infant

Parents gain the option to use safe haven baby boxes anonymously without facing criminal prosecution for abandonment, subject to a 90-day limit to initiate reunification.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a safe haven baby box under this bill?

It is a conspicuously marked infant safety device located at a safe haven site that maintains an optimal environment for infant care and allows a parent to anonymously relinquish an infant.

What happens after an infant is surrendered at a safe haven site?

The Children, Youth and Families Department is deemed to have , and the site must immediately notify the department and provide all available medical and background information.

How long does a parent have to seek reunification with a surrendered infant?

A parent must contact the Children, Youth and Families Department within 90 days of relinquishing the infant; otherwise, the department is required to file a motion to terminate parental rights.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

1 action

Jan 30, 2026SenateCommittee
Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SHPAC/SJC

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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