Parents in New Mexico who fall behind on child support payments may be denied hunting or fishing licenses under the state’s Parental Responsibility Act, state officials said.
The policy seeks to encourage parents to meet their child support obligations. It also allows them to regain their recreational license privileges once they bring their financial obligations up to date.
Helping parents meet child support commitments
“Enjoying the outdoors through hunting and fishing is a New Mexico tradition that parents often share with their kids,” Betina Gonzales McCracken, director of the Child Support Services Division at the New Mexico Health Care Authority, said in a statement. “We want to help parents meet their child support commitment and get a recreational license.”
Each month, the state’s child support program sends a certified list of parents who have fallen behind on payments to 63 agencies. These state agencies are responsible for issuing licenses.
To avoid delays in securing a hunting or fishing license, parents can contact the Child Support Services Division through the YES.NM.GOV portal or by calling 800-283-4465.
Once parents bring their payments up to date, they must pay a $25 reinstatement fee before the agency restores their license privileges. They can pay through their customer account with the Department of Wildlife or by calling 1-888-248-6866.
Assistance for the unemployed
The STEPUp! program also assists unemployed or underemployed parents. It is a joint initiative with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions that connects parents to jobs to help them meet their monthly obligations. Of the total referrals through the program in 2025, nearly 6 out of 10 (57 percent) referrals resulted in parents making child support payments.
According to the Health Care Authority, the state collected $119 million in child support last year, with 99 percent going directly to families rather than to reimburse public assistance. Working parents had contributed 65 percent of the total collections through wage withholding.