N.M. Stat. § 40-15-4 (2026)

A. Parents have joint primary responsibility for the well-being of their family. Parents
have the primary responsibility to:

       (1)    ensure that their children have adequate food, shelter, health care and a
healthy environment;

       (2) support their children in all ways possible to grow up to be responsible,
caring members of society;

      (3)    ensure that their children receive quality education both in and out of
school to prepare them for active and productive adult lives;

       (4)   protect their children from the serious dangers of narcotics, alcohol and
other harmful substances; and

       (5)     protect their children from all forms of exploitation harmful to any aspect of
their welfare.

   B. The state has a responsibility to develop plans to:

      (1)     make available to families free, quality public primary and secondary
education;

     (2)    provide public safety services so that family members are safe in their
homes, schools, workplaces and recreational settings;

      (3)    make available social service programs that support vulnerable families
and protect spouses and children in danger of physical or serious emotional harm;

       (4) develop programs that build on the strengths of families and connect them
with community resources;

       (5)     provide parents with access to the training and support they need to raise
their children, function effectively as parents and play a key role in helping preschool
and growing children learn; and

      (6)     assist parents in carrying out their primary responsibility of providing for
the well-being of their family.

History: Laws 2005, ch. 68, § 4.
                                     ANNOTATIONS

Effective dates. — Laws 2005, ch. 68 contained no effective date provision, but,
pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 17, 2005, 90 days after
adjournment of the legislature.