Stefani Lord, a representative for New Mexico's State House District 22, has expressed concerns over what she describes as Democratic opposition to her initiatives aimed at reforming the Child, Youth, and Families Department. In a post on X dated March 14, she highlighted efforts including a bill and an amendment designed to mandate background checks for adult caregivers.

"Yet another year has passed without addressing the real issues behind the Child, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) dumpster fire," said Lord, State Representative. "For years, I've presented data-driven bills to fix the issues, and Dems stopped them every time. This year, I presented a bill and an amendment to do background checks on adult caregivers to make sure they are not on a sex registry list or a child abuser. Dems stopped both."

According to the committee substitute for House Bill 131, which was adopted by the House, one of the bills Lord mentioned is sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth Thompson, Dayan Hochman-Vigil, Kathleen Cates, and Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez. The bill proposes disqualifying individuals from caring for disabled children if a background check reveals certain felony convictions or if they are deemed an unreasonable risk by health authorities.

Screenshot of State REpresentative Stefani Lord's March 14 post on X | X

Lord also referred to an amendment she filed that would require criminal background checks and sex offender registry checks before returning a child to a custodian from the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department due to abuse or neglect. The amendment includes provisions allowing law enforcement officers to take immediate custody of a child if there is an immediate threat to their safety.

In a March 13 post, Lord said that all but one Democrat in the chamber voted against conducting such background checks to prevent disabled children removed from abusive homes from being returned to individuals with histories of sexual offenses or child abuse.

State Representative Stefani Lord has served New Mexico's House District 22 since 2021. According to Ballotpedia, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on neurochemistry from Portland State University. She is also known for her experience as a small business owner and as the founder of Pro-Gun Women, a citizen action group.