Apr 29, 2026

Latest Update on Legal Challenge to Universal Child Care

Universal Child Care is here to stay

Visit the Early Childhood Education and Care Department Newsroom here .

April 29, 2026

New Mexico's Child Care Assistance Program Continues

The child care assistance program serving New Mexico families continues, and ECECD is ready to defend its legality in court. To be clear: the court's action this week is not a pause on Universal Child Care.

On April 16, 2026, a request was filed with the 2nd Judicial District Court seeking to immediately halt the program until Senate Bill 241, the Child Care Assistance Program act is set to go into effect on May 20, 2026.

The court declined this request — instead issuing an alternative writ that gives ECECD and the Governor the opportunity to respond in court on June 11, 2026, before any further action is taken. The department is confident the court will dismiss this case.

Universal Child Care is here to stay! The passage of Senate Bill 241 makes that clear. Families can rest assured that ECECD remains fully committed to protecting their access to the services they need and rely on — and will not waver in that mission.

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