EXPOSURE TO FENTANYL USE AS CHILD ABUSE

HB 383 amends New Mexico's child abuse law to automatically treat knowing exposure of a child to fentanyl (or methamphetamine) as evidence of abuse. This means that if a parent, guardian, or caregiver intentionally exposes a child to fentanyl use, it will be considered direct proof of child abuse in legal cases. The bill also appropriates $500,000 to the Department of Public Safety for fiscal year 2026 to expand investigations of child abuse cases involving fentanyl. The law, effective July 1, 2025, will apply to caregivers who expose children to these drugs, potentially leading to criminal charges under existing child abuse statutes.