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.

History: Laws 2005, ch. 68, § 4.

Effective dates. — Laws 2005, ch. 68 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 17, 2005, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.