Transportation (Children)

SB 234 allocates $1.2 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Public Education Department for the Albuquerque Public School District to provide school transportation to and from school for foster children. The bill directly affects foster children in Albuquerque schools by ensuring consistent transportation access, addressing a common barrier to education. Key provisions include dedicated annual funding for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, with unspent balances carrying forward instead of reverting to the general fund. This is a funding appropriation bill focused on practical support for foster youth, not a policy change.

SB 313 removes a legal provision stating that failing to secure children in appropriate car seats or seat belts cannot be considered negligence in court. This change directly affects parents and caregivers of children under 18 who do not comply with New Mexico’s existing child passenger restraint requirements. The bill amends two sections of state law to delete language that previously prevented such violations from being used as evidence of fault in accident cases. As a result, courts can now consider improper child restraint use when determining negligence or liability in traffic incidents involving minors. The actual safety requirements for child restraints (e.g., rear-facing seats for infants, booster seats for young children) remain unchanged.