Criminal Justice

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 147: JUVENILE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CHANGES

SB 147 expands New Mexico's Juvenile Community Corrections Grant Fund to support community-based programs for youth aged 18-22 (previously defined as "children" under 18) and adjudicated delinquents. The bill allows counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to operate diversion programs focused on prevention, intervention, and community services instead of incarceration. It requires that no more than 12% of fund money can cover administrative costs and mandates annual reporting to the legislature on program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects youth in the justice system and community service providers receiving state funding. It clarifies that funds can be used for direct program operation or contracting, with strict rules for grant applications and eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands community-based diversion programs for youth 18-22, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation over jail time per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 67: RESTRAINING ORDERS & FIREARMS

HB 67 requires courts issuing domestic violence protection orders to mandate that restrained parties immediately surrender all firearms in their possession or control to law enforcement or a federal firearms licensee. This applies to all protection orders, with courts permitted to allow alternative surrender methods or timing if needed. The bill also mandates law enforcement to provide written receipts to both the restrained party and the petitioning party within 72 hours, detailing surrendered firearms and filing copies with the court. It directly affects individuals subject to domestic violence protection orders and law enforcement agencies handling firearm surrenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates firearm surrender in domestic violence cases to prevent further harm, enhancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 80: DOMESTIC ABUSE DEFINITIONS

SB 80 amends New Mexico's Family Violence Protection Act by expanding and updating the legal definition of "abuse" (replacing "domestic abuse"). The bill adds specific examples to the definition, including digital harassment, harm to animals, threats about immigration status, unauthorized sharing of private images, and harm to children. It explicitly clarifies that courts may include provisions protecting a victim's animals in orders of protection. This change directly affects victims seeking protection orders, courts issuing those orders, and law enforcement handling domestic violence cases under the updated definition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections by adding digital harassment, animal harm, and immigration threats to abuse definition, strengthening court oversight in domestic violence cases.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly adds 'threats about immigration status' to domestic abuse definition, protecting immigrant victims from abuse tactics targeting their immigration status.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds digital harassment and unauthorized image sharing to abuse definition, strengthening digital privacy protections for victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 60: REVISE CERTAIN CRIMINAL OFFENSE DEFINITIONS

HB 60 amends New Mexico's Victims of Crime Act to expand the definition of "criminal offense" to specifically include certain crimes committed against peace officers, such as aggravated assault, battery, or assault with intent to commit a violent felony. This change directly affects victims of these specific offenses by ensuring they qualify for victim services and compensation under the Act. The bill adds 3 new provisions (22-24 in the definition list) referencing crimes against officers under Section 30-22-22 to 30-22-25 of the state criminal code. It does not alter criminal penalties but adjusts eligibility for victim support programs. The bill was referred to committee with a "DO PASS" recommendation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim services eligibility for crimes against peace officers, ensuring access to compensation under Victims of Crime Act, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 134: UNLAWFUL INSTALL OF GPS SYSTEM

HB 134 creates a new crime for knowingly installing a GPS tracking device to monitor another person's location without their knowledge, consent, or permission. This law applies to individuals who place such devices on vehicles or property to track movements, classifying the offense as a petty misdemeanor. Exemptions cover certified law enforcement officers acting in official duties and licensed private investigators. The bill defines a "global positioning system" as any device transmitting location data to track a person, vehicle, or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new crime for unauthorized GPS tracking, protecting privacy rights without hindering law enforcement, aligns with civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes unauthorized GPS tracking, directly protecting location privacy (a data privacy concern) under technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 206: CRIME VICTIM REPARATION ADDITIONAL CRIMES

This bill expands New Mexico's Crime Victims Reparation Act to include victims of assault, battery, criminal sexual contact, and armed robbery. It amends the law to explicitly list these offenses as qualifying for financial reparation, ensuring victims of these crimes can access compensation. The change modifies existing law (Section 31-22-8 NMSA 1978) by adding these specific crimes to the enumerated list of qualifying offenses. It does not cover property damage, as clarified in the current law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim compensation eligibility for specific violent crimes (assault, battery, etc.), strengthening victim support within criminal justice system per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 94: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDER TREATMENT PGM.

SB 94 requires individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses - including assault, battery, and related crimes under New Mexico law - to complete a domestic violence offender treatment program approved by the Children, Youth and Families Department. The bill applies directly to people sentenced for offenses listed in Sections 30-3-12 through 30-3-16 of the state code, such as assault against a household member or aggravated battery. Key provisions mandate treatment participation upon conviction and specify that violating probation terms (e.g., failing treatment) allows courts to impose the full original sentence without counting time served on probation. The bill aims to address domestic violence through structured intervention while tightening consequences for probation violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates domestic violence offenders complete treatment programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates domestic violence offenders to complete approved mental health treatment program, subject includes HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 57: CONCEALING IDENTITY OF A PEACE OFFICER

SB 57 creates two new offenses for peace officers who conceal their identity during official duties: a misdemeanor for basic concealment (hiding face/badge/name during a search/seizure) and a fourth-degree felony for intentional deception (e.g., to intimidate or interfere with public records). It also expands impersonation laws to cover all federal/state/local officers and restricts private bail bond agents from impersonating police - banning government-style uniforms, badges, or titles like "federal" and prohibiting their use in immigration enforcement without a warrant. Bail agents may only display "Bail Enforcement Agent" on clothing but cannot disclose personal information for immigration purposes without legal authorization. The bill directly affects peace officers and private bail enforcement personnel in New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates officer identification during duties, creating penalties for concealment to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 32: PROSECUTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

SB 32 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases to six years from when the crime is reported to law enforcement. It increases the age of protection for victims of child sexual exploitation by prostitution from 16 to 18 years, making it a crime to profit from children under 18 in such acts. The bill adds human trafficking and child exploitation victims to the Victims of Crime Act, defines "harm" to include psychological and financial impacts, and prohibits reduced sentences for human trafficking convictions. These changes directly affect victims, prosecutors, and defendants in human trafficking cases across New Mexico.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for trafficking prosecutions, increases victim protections for minors, and broadens victim definitions under crime act - directly strengthens criminal justice protections for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 43: PAROLE REQUIREMENT CHANGES

SB 43 changes New Mexico's parole process for inmates sentenced to life imprisonment. It requires the parole board to prioritize an inmate's risk level, participation in rehabilitation programs, and readiness to rejoin society when considering release, while also weighing offense details and victim impact. The bill sets a minimum five-year parole period for life sentences (unless reduced for public safety) and mandates a written parole plan and signed conditions of release before an inmate can be freed. Additionally, it updates compensation rules for parole board members and hearing scheduling procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrioritizes rehabilitation programs and risk assessment over punitive measures, aligning with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve reintegration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole