Sen. Moe Maestas

Maddy summarySB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.

Maddy summarySB 35 separates "shooting at a motor vehicle" and "shooting from a motor vehicle" into distinct crimes under New Mexico law. It increases penalties: shooting at a vehicle is always a second-degree felony, while shooting from a vehicle is a third-degree felony without injury or second-degree with injury. The bill mandates vehicle forfeiture when used in these offenses and requires automatic driver's license revocation for convictions. It also classifies both offenses as violent felonies for sentencing purposes under New Mexico's three-strikes law.

Maddy summarySB 166 clarifies key definitions for "harm to self" and "harm to others" in New Mexico's mental health and developmental disabilities laws. It defines "harm to self" as an inability to meet basic needs with risk of serious physical harm without treatment, and "harm to others" as past behavior causing serious harm or creating a substantial risk of repeat harm. These definitions will directly guide courts and mental health professionals when determining eligibility for involuntary treatment under existing commitment procedures. The bill does not create new procedures or funding but standardizes language to ensure consistent application of current laws.

Maddy summarySB 498 proposes adding "lowrider" to New Mexico's list of official state symbols under Section 12-3-4 of state law, designating it as the state vehicle. The bill directly affects how New Mexico represents itself symbolically, joining existing symbols like the state flower (yucca) and state nickname ("The Land of Enchantment"). It does not create new regulations, funding, or impact residents' daily lives - it is purely a symbolic designation. The bill was referred to committees, received "DO PASS" recommendations, but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 217, the Counseling Compact, would allow licensed professional counselors in New Mexico to practice across state lines without needing separate licenses in each state. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, directly benefiting counselors seeking to work in multiple states and their clients, including military spouses relocating with active duty service members. Key provisions include requiring counselors to follow the laws of the state where the client is located during care, supporting telehealth delivery of services, and enabling states to share disciplinary and licensing information. The bill aims to improve access to counseling services while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety.

Maddy summaryHB 445 expands New Mexico's Victims of Crime Act to cover all crime victims suffering bodily harm or property damage exceeding $1,000, replacing a previous list of specific violent crimes with a broader definition. It redefines "victim" to include anyone directly harmed by any qualifying crime, requires law enforcement to treat victims with dignity and privacy, and mandates electronic notification systems for victims about offender releases pre- and post-conviction. The bill also updates "formally charged" to include filing a criminal complaint and strengthens victims' rights to notice, restitution, and property return. This legislation directly affects all New Mexico crime victims, not just those of specified violent offenses. The bill was referred to committees in February 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 148, the Anti-Hazing Act, creates new criminal penalties for hazing and failure to report it at New Mexico schools. It defines hazing as intentional acts causing physical or psychological harm during student organization activities (like fraternities, sports teams, or clubs), with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to second-degree felonies for severe outcomes like death. The bill also allows victims to sue for damages and requires colleges to adopt hazing prevention programs, codes of conduct, and committees. These changes directly affect students, school staff, student organizations, and post-secondary institutions across New Mexico.

Maddy summarySB 397 creates the New Mexico Next Generation Act to provide funding for education or home down payments to children born in New Mexico after July 1, 2025, who meet specific residency requirements (e.g., parent lived in NM continuously for five years before birth). It establishes a "Next Generation Trust Fund" to grow investments and a "Baby Bonds Fund" to pay for eligible educational expenses or housing costs when beneficiaries (aged 18-40) complete a financial literacy course. The program explicitly states benefits are not guaranteed and funds won’t count as assets for need-based aid. Administration requires new rules for eligibility, expenditures, and data sharing between state departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Mexico's racetrack licensing system by creating two license classes (A and B) based on annual betting revenue ($10 million threshold) and adds strong confidentiality protections for applicant and licensee documents. It requires the Gaming Commission to treat all submitted business information as strictly confidential, prohibiting public disclosure except through court orders or written consent from the applicant/licensee. The bill also prevents such documents from being used in defamation lawsuits or civil claims. These changes directly affect racetracks seeking licenses or renewing existing ones, balancing regulatory oversight with business privacy.

Maddy summarySB 160 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy governing student use of wireless communication devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) by August 1, 2025. The policy must prohibit device use during instruction unless for educational purposes, medical needs, disability accommodations, or emergencies, while allowing accessibility tools. Schools must publish policies online, hold public meetings for feedback, provide staff training, and annually evaluate policy effectiveness. The bill directly affects school districts and charter schools, not individual students or parents, by mandating structured device-use guidelines aligned with educational and health needs.