New Mexico Statutes Chapter 32A. Children's Code § 32A-1-20. Purchase of care from private agency by public agency

A. When the legal custody of a child or the placement and care responsibility of an eligible adult is vested in a public agency, under the provisions of the Children's Code, the public agency may transfer physical custody of the child or the eligible adult to an appropriate private agency and may purchase care and treatment from the private agency if the private agency submits periodic reports to the public agency covering the care and treatment the child or eligible adult is receiving and the child's or eligible adult's responses to that care and treatment. These reports shall be made as frequently as the public agency deems necessary, but not less often than once each six months for each child or eligible adult. The private agency shall also afford an opportunity for a representative of the public agency to examine or consult with the child or eligible adult as frequently as the public agency deems necessary.

B. As used in this section, “eligible adult” means an individual who meets the eligibility criteria for participation in the fostering connections program established pursuant to the Fostering Connections Act.