SB 510 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

PUBLIC SAFETY CHANGES

This bill removes time limits for prosecuting human trafficking cases (previously capped at six years), raises the age for child sexual exploitation protections from 16 to 18, and creates a new crime for operating "stash houses" (locations used for drug distribution). It also adds human trafficking and stash houses to racketeering definitions, expands mental health evaluation requirements for defendants, and reforms juvenile justice procedures - including extending court discretion for sentencing young offenders and altering detention rules. These changes directly affect victims of trafficking/exploitation, defendants in related cases, and juvenile justice system participants. The bill was passed by the Senate in March 2025 but was later postponed indefinitely.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → JU substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico's Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act to update and clarify definitions related to patient care, treatment standards, and health information. The changes focus on modernizing language around patient rights, treatment approaches, and professional qualifications rather than introducing new substantive policy requirements.

Scope change

The bill applies to existing mental health and developmental disabilities services in New Mexico, updating definitions used throughout the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for 'harm to self' and 'harm to others' to clarify standards for determining when involuntary treatment or assisted outpatient treatment may be necessary.

Added new definitions for modern healthcare concepts including 'protected health information,' 'assertive community treatment,' 'advance directive for mental health treatment,' and 'treatment guardian' to align with current practices.

Clarified definitions of 'client,' 'habilitation,' and 'treatment' to emphasize least restrictive alternatives and patient-centered care approaches.

Added definition for 'psychosurgery' to specify what procedures are included and excluded from the definition, particularly regarding brain surgery for behavioral control.

Updated professional qualification definitions to include licensed professional clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other qualified mental health professionals.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

32–3

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 40

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic24

17 Yea 3 Nay 4

70% Yea

R Republican16

15 Yea 1

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee & House Health & Human Services Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Judiciary Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors