New Mexico

New Mexico lawmakers discuss CYFD reform and oversight

Published

11 months ago

February 21, 2025

New Mexico lawmakers discuss CYFD reform and oversight

Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle promised to address the longstanding issues inside the Child Youth and Families Department.

SANTA FE, N.M. – Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle promised to address the longstanding issues inside the Children, Youth and Families Department.

On Friday, those long-awaited reform plans took a big step forward in the Roundhouse.

Republican lawmakers bring CYFD reform and oversight bills to the Roundhouse every year, but they’ve largely collected dust at the starting line.

This year is different. Democratic leaders and the governor say it’s time to get some independent eyes on the embattled agency. But it seems there’s already a disagreement over who should be in charge.

“In the 2025, legislative session, we will continue our push to reform CYFD, the agency is broken, and our children need help,” said Speaker of the House Rep. Javier Martinez.

With a 9-1 vote, efforts to create a new Office of the Child Advocate are moving forward in the Roundhouse.

“For far too long, children have not had a voice where they could go, or a space that would provide them impartial fairness and treatment to make sure that their concerns are heard, and that action is taken,” said state Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta.

House Bill 5 places the oversight office inside the New Mexico Department of Justice, that’s where CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados is drawing the line.

“I think anytime you have oversight at an agency such as the Department of Justice, whether or not it is punitive, it just sends that message that it’s incredibly punitive. And that’s not a message that I want to send to my staff that are out there every single day doing this tough work,” said Casados.

Casados instead backs the governor’s plan for a Child Protection Agency inside the Regulation and Licensing Department.

“It’s important for anybody that does public service to have oversight,” said Casados.

But state lawmakers also want some control over CYFD.

A proposed constitutional amendment removing CYFD from the governor’s cabinet and allowing legislative leaders to appoint several members of a new CYFD commission is also moving forward.

“I think everybody agrees there needs to be changes at the department, but this is absolutely the wrong way to go about,” Casados said.

Cabinet secretaries from the Public Education Department, the Health Care Authority, Early Childhood Care and Education Department and Workforce Solutions all joined Casados to oppose the plan.

Still, state lawmakers say the glaring problems at CYFD have gone on long enough.

“I believe insanity is doing the same thing, day in and day out, and expecting different results. And I don’t know if this is the answer, but I believe we’ve got to do something,” said state Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez.

Secretary Cassados and the other cabinet secretaries pointed out several other states already tried establishing a commission to oversee their CYFD’s, but decided to go back to a cabinet secretary format.

Regardless, New Mexico voters would end up having to make the final decision on that.

Track HB 5 during the legislative session.

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Related Topics:Featured Griffin Rushton New Mexico Legislature

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New Mexico

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

Published

23 minutes ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

After Lance St. Louis served as the starting long snapper for the Texas Longhorns for four seasons, special teams coordinator Jeff Banks landed an experienced replacement when New Mexico Lobos transfer Trey Dubuc pledged while on a visit to the Forty Acres.

The pledge from Dubuc ensures that Texas has experienced replacements for three specialists despite signing high school prospects at each position — with the SEC expanding to 105 scholarships in 2026, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian can afford to develop high school recruits at those positions behind experienced transfers like Dubuc.

The Fort Lauderdale product started his career at USF after playing on two state championship teams at Cardinal Gibbons. A 6’1, 209-pounder, Dubuc redshirted during his freshman season in 2023 before appearing in one game as the backup long snapper the following year.

After transferring to New Mexico, Dubuc served as the starting long snapper while making two tackles for the Lobos.

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New Mexico

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

Published

12 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.

According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.

According to the release, an autopsy is planned.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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