FELONY FOR CERTAIN THEFTS

SB 228 (FELONY FOR CERTAIN THEFTS) amends New Mexico's burglary law to create a new fourth-degree felony charge. It specifically targets individuals who enter a retail store after being explicitly told they are not allowed to enter, and then intend to commit theft or another felony inside. This directly affects people who have received formal notice (like a ban) from a retail business but return to commit crimes. The bill adds this provision to the existing burglary statute, making such entry a distinct felony separate from general burglary offenses. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.