CHILDREN'S CODE PROCEEDING FILING FEES

SB 302 eliminates filing fees for children, their families, or individuals filing on a child's behalf in any proceeding under New Mexico's Children's Code. The bill amends court costs statutes to explicitly exclude these parties from paying filing fees or related expenses (Section 32A-1-19). It ensures that children, families, or legal representatives in Children's Code cases (such as custody or delinquency matters) will not face financial barriers to accessing court proceedings. The law directly affects vulnerable minors and their advocates by removing a cost barrier in family court cases.