FOSTERING CONNECTIONS PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

SB 75 expands New Mexico's Fostering Connections Program to include young adults up to age 22 (previously capped at 21), directly affecting youth aging out of foster care who meet specific criteria. To qualify, individuals must have been in state custody due to abuse/neglect or under guardianship/adoption assistance, be enrolled in education, employed 80+ hours monthly, or in job-training programs, and sign a voluntary support agreement with the state. The bill explicitly states citizenship or immigration status cannot block eligibility. This amendment to Section 32A-26-3 of the state code updates the program’s age limit and eligibility requirements without changing its core support structure.