The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s executive order mandating that drug-exposed newborns be placed in the custody of the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) for evaluation to determine whether they can safely return home with their parents.

Support for the Ruling

Maralyn Beck of the New Mexico Child First Network applauded the court’s decision, stating that it is keeping kids alive and working. The ACLU had petitioned the Supreme Court to block the order, arguing that it was unconstitutional and violated parents’ rights to due process.

CYFD reported that since the executive order went into effect last July, 130 babies have entered foster care or other placements, and there have been no deaths. Governor Lujan Grisham praised the decision, saying that her executive order is part of the response to the drug crisis and has already saved lives.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.