Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence) in New Mexico

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 313: CIVIL RELIEF FROM COERCED DEBT ACT

HB 313 creates the "Civil Relief from Coerced Debt Act" to help victims of abuse or exploitation (like domestic violence, human trafficking, or identity theft) escape debts they were forced to incur. It requires debtors to submit a verified statement with supporting evidence (such as police reports or medical documentation) to creditors, proving the debt was coerced. Creditors must then immediately stop collection efforts, return any payments made, remove negative credit reports, and refrain from selling the debt - all within 10 business days of receiving the statement. This law directly affects victims of coercion and all creditors, including debt collectors and debt buyers, who must follow these new procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Policing

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 331: CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT CHANGES

HB 331 amends New Mexico's criminal record expungement law to allow individuals charged with a domestic violence crime to request removal of their arrest and public records immediately after being acquitted or having the case dismissed with prejudice. The bill requires courts to complete expungement within 30 days of the order and prohibits any fees for submitting requests or processing the expungement. This change directly affects people cleared of domestic violence charges, such as assault or battery against a household member, making it easier to clear records without waiting periods. The bill also clarifies the definition of "domestic violence crime" to include specific offenses like assault against household members under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

passed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 50: LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

SB 50 removes annual in-service training requirements for certified police officers and telecommunicators in New Mexico. It specifically eliminates the need for yearly refreshers on topics like domestic abuse incident training, child abuse incident training, mental health interaction, crisis de-escalation, and trauma kit use that were previously mandated under existing law. The bill retains basic training requirements but reduces the frequency of mandatory annual updates for officers and telecommunicators. This directly affects all certified law enforcement personnel and public safety telecommunicators statewide. The change streamlines training obligations without altering the core curriculum content for initial certification.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 31: U VISA CERTIFICATION ACT

SB 31, the U Visa Certification Act, creates a standardized process for New Mexico victims of serious crimes (like domestic violence, trafficking, or assault) to obtain state certification needed for federal U visas. It requires local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to process certification requests within 30 days (14 days for urgent cases) and provides clear appeal steps if denied. Victims must have assisted investigations, but certifications cannot be denied due to case closures or lack of convictions. The law specifies qualifying crimes, defines key terms, and mandates written explanations for denials to streamline access to federal immigration relief without altering U visa eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 90: "CREDIBLE THREAT" DEFINITION

SB 90 defines "credible threat" in New Mexico's domestic violence law as any situation causing reasonable fear for physical safety based on statements, acts, or conduct - not requiring actual firearm use. If a court determines a credible threat exists during a domestic violence protection order hearing, it must order the abuser to surrender all firearms and refrain from possessing firearms while the order is active. This directly affects victims of domestic violence and abusers in cases where courts issue protection orders. The bill expands firearm restrictions beyond scenarios involving direct firearm threats, ensuring courts can mandate firearm removal when safety concerns arise.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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 Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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 Justice ✓ Healthcare

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

All criminal justice bills