A. When a child is detained in a facility for the temporary detention of children that is administered or financed by a county and the child subsequently is found to be delinquent or enters into a consent decree, the board of county commissioners may seek reimbursement from the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian for the amount of money expended by the county for the care and support of the child during his period of detention. The child support guidelines set forth in Section 40-4-11.1 NMSA 1978 may be used to calculate a reasonable payment.

B. When a child is detained in a facility for the temporary detention of children that is administered or financed by the county and the child subsequently is found to be delinquent or enters into a consent decree, the board of county commissioners may seek reimbursement from the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian for the amount of money expended by the county for the provision of ancillary services to the child. Ancillary services include psychiatric, psychological or medical services provided by the county to the child. The child support guidelines set forth in Section 40-4-11.1 NMSA 1978 may be used for the purpose of determining the amount of money owed by a parent, guardian or legal custodian for the provision of ancillary services to that parent's child.

C. When a parent, guardian or legal custodian refuses or fails to reimburse a county for the expenses incurred by a county pursuant to Subsection A or B of this section, the board of county commissioners may initiate a civil action against the parent, guardian or legal custodian to recover the amount of money owed to the county.

History: Laws 1993, ch. 243, § 1.