Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the Indian Family Protection Act.

Highlights:

• Requires “active efforts to maintain or reunite an Indian child with the Indian child’s family” and “provide assistance in a manner consistent with the prevailing social and cultural standards and way of life of the Indian child’s tribe” (Page 5).

• Specifies that Indian tribes shall have exclusive jurisdiction over child custody proceedings on reservation (Page 10).

• Authorizes tribal-state agreements for “care and custody” of Indian children (Page 13).

• Authorizes temporary emergency jurisdiction over Indian child custody cases (Page 17).

• Authorizes Indian child’s tribe to “intervene at any point in a child custody proceeding” (Page 22).

• Requires “responsiveness training” for children’s court judges, district court judges, attorneys, guardians ad litem, and court-appointed youth attorneys (Page 44).

• Requires that “Indian children have the opportunity to maintain strong connections to their culture” (Page 45).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a substitute bill that establishes the Indian Family Protection Act.

Highlights:

• Requires “active efforts to maintain or reunite an Indian child with the Indian child’s family” and “provide assistance in a manner consistent with the prevailing social and cultural standards and way of life of the Indian child’s tribe” (Page 5).

• Specifies that Indian tribes shall have exclusive jurisdiction over child custody proceedings on reservation (Page 10).

• Authorizes tribal-state agreements for “care and custody” of Indian children (Page 13).

• Authorizes temporary emergency jurisdiction over Indian child custody cases (Page 17).

• Authorizes Indian child’s tribe to “intervene at any point in a child custody proceeding” (Page 22).

• Requires “responsiveness training” for children’s court judges, district court judges, attorneys, guardians ad litem, and court-appointed youth attorneys (Page 44).

• Requires that “Indian children have the opportunity to maintain strong connections to their culture” (Page 45).

Full Bill Text