NEW MEXICO
MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTES
CIVIL MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTE
A child shall not be considered abused or neglected solely because their parents provide spiritual treatment alone, in accordance with the practices of a recognized religion by an accredited practitioner.
New Mexico Civil Statute:
G. “neglected child” means a child: . . .
(5) who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law; provided that nothing in the Children’s Code shall be construed to imply that a child who is being provided with treatment by spiritual means alone through prayer, in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner thereof is for that reason alone a neglected child within the meaning of the Children’s Code; and further provided that no child shall be denied the protection afforded to all children under the Children’s Code;
New Mexico Statutes §32A-4-2(G)(5)
CRIMINAL MEDICAL NEGLECT STATUTE
There is no religious exemption to criminal liability for parents failing to provide medical care based on faith.
New Mexico Criminal Statute:
None