Section 40-15-4 - Parental and state responsibilities. - New Mexico Statutes

40-15-4. Parental and state responsibilities.

A.     Parents have joint primary responsibility for the well-being of their family.  Parents have the primary responsibility to:

(1)     ensure that their children have adequate food, shelter, health care and a healthy environment;

(2)     support their children in all ways possible to grow up to be responsible, caring members of society;

(3)     ensure that their children receive quality education both in and out of school to prepare them for active and productive adult lives;

(4)     protect their children from the serious dangers of narcotics, alcohol and other harmful substances; and

(5)     protect their children from all forms of exploitation harmful to any aspect of their welfare.

B.     The state has a responsibility to develop plans to:

(1)     make available to families free, quality public primary and secondary education;

(2)     provide public safety services so that family members are safe in their homes, schools, workplaces and recreational settings;

(3)     make available social service programs that support vulnerable families and protect spouses and children in danger of physical or serious emotional harm;

(4)     develop programs that build on the strengths of families and connect them with community resources;

(5)     provide parents with access to the training and support they need to raise their children, function effectively as parents and play a key role in helping preschool and growing children learn; and

(6)     assist parents in carrying out their primary responsibility of providing for the well-being of their family.