Children’s Code Reform Task Force
December 16, 2014
The Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice at the UNM School of Law is home to the Children’s Code Reform Task Force (CCRTF), an initiative funded by the New Mexico Legislature. The CCRTF is dedicated to evaluating and improving New Mexico’s Children’s Code by providing legislative recommendations aimed at improving laws and better supporting the state’s most vulnerable children and families. The CCRTF plays a vital role in addressing ongoing issues to ensure effective support for children and families.
The task force is composed of 19 members, including its chair, Cristen Conley, a nationally certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, a Senior Attorney at the Institute of Public Law, and Director of the Corinne Wolfe Center for Child & Family Justice. Conley, who represented children and parents in child and family welfare cases for more than 20 years and who previously served on Children’s Code task forces in 2004 and again in 2009, brings extensive experience to her role. She states, “We called on subject matter experts from across the state and from various disciplines to create a deeply knowledgeable and dedicated group of volunteers to become members of the Children’s Code Reform Task Force. Their hard work and persistence has led to sound research-based recommendations to update and improve state law and policy to protect children and support the most vulnerable families. We have only scratched the surface and hope to be able to continue this work.”
Selected by the New Mexico Legislature for funding in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, the CCRTF has utilized this support to review current data and compile a comprehensive report with detailed assessments and recommendations. This report, released in June 2024 and spanning nearly 75 pages, presents recommendations to update the Children’s Code to better reflect the latest scientific, social, economic, and cultural developments.
One proposal included in the CCRTF report is the relabeling of Article 4 “Abuse and Neglect” to “Child and Family Welfare.” This change is designed to shift the focus from punitive measures to supportive initiatives for children and families facing neglect. The task force recognizes that many neglect cases stem from underlying issues such as poverty and inadequate support. Additionally, the CCRTF recommends redefining child neglect to prevent the removal of children from their families solely due to poverty. By addressing these factors, the CCRTF hopes to encourage lawmakers to provide more comprehensive support.
Additionally, the CCRTF’s report includes many other recommendations for improving the system. With these proposed changes, the CCRTF aims to engage New Mexico’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches to advocate for legal changes and reforms that will enhance the wellbeing of vulnerable families and children throughout the state.
The CCRTF presented its recommendations to the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee (CCJ) on August 13, 2024 and to the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee (LHHS) on August 26, 2024. Beyond engaging with lawmakers, the task force is committed to involving the public in this process. They host monthly virtual meetings to inform and solicit feedback from the community. The next meeting will take place on October 1, 2024. Learn more here. (https://childlaw.unm.edu/childrens-code-reform-task-force/index.html)
View the full report from the Children’s Code Reform Task Force here. (https://childlaw.unm.edu/assets/docs/childrens_code_reform_task_force_june_2024_report.pdf)