Maddy summarySB 499 adds "safe haven baby boxes" to New Mexico's existing safe haven system, allowing parents to anonymously surrender newborns (up to 90 days old) at designated sites like hospitals or fire stations. The bill requires sites to provide information about adoption services and informs parents that they have 90 days to contact the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to seek reunification; if they don't, CYFD must file a motion to terminate parental rights. It also mandates sites to immediately notify CYFD when an infant is left and provides guidelines for medical care and permanency planning. The bill directly affects parents seeking anonymous surrender options, safe haven sites, and CYFD's procedures. (Note: The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.)
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 360 amends New Mexico's Safe Haven for Infants Act to allow parents or their designees to leave newborns (under 90 days old) in approved infant safety devices at hospitals, fire stations, or law enforcement facilities without facing criminal charges for abandonment. The bill requires these devices to be conspicuously marked, securely attached to safe haven sites, and not labeled unsafe, while also adding confidentiality protections for relinquishment details with civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure. Safe haven sites must accept infants without requiring parental information but may offer adoption resources and must notify child welfare authorities after accepting an infant. This directly affects parents seeking safe relinquishment options, safe haven sites (like hospitals), and child welfare agencies managing the process.
Maddy summarySB 195 would add "antisemitic discrimination" to New Mexico's Human Rights Act, defining it as hatred toward Jewish people, those perceived as Jewish, or attacks on their property or religious institutions. It prohibits employers, public accommodations, government entities, and their contractors from engaging in such discrimination. The bill would allow individuals harmed by antisemitic discrimination to file claims under existing Human Rights Act procedures. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the Senate on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.
Maddy summaryThis bill lacks substantive text or policy details in the provided context. The title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is broadly descriptive but does not indicate specific provisions or affected parties. Committee actions show it was withdrawn, referred to Judiciary, and then postponed indefinitely without further progress. Without bill language or a policy summary, a factual description of its mechanisms or effects cannot be provided.
Maddy summarySB 452 (New Mexico, 2025) would make it a fourth-degree felony to knowingly ask a non-U.S. citizen to register to vote or vote in New Mexico, punishable by up to $5,000 in fines per violation. The bill directly affects individuals or groups who solicit non-citizens for voter registration or participation, including community organizers or volunteers. Key provisions prohibit solicitation (verbally or electronically), state that including a disclaimer advising non-citizens not to vote does not defend against charges, and authorize prosecutors to enforce the law. The bill, which stalled in committee, would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.
Maddy summarySB 391 increases civil penalties for air quality violations in New Mexico, setting daily fines up to $15,000 for permit breaches and $25,000 for noncompliance with enforcement orders. It directly affects businesses and facilities operating under air quality permits by raising financial stakes for violations. Key provisions include exempting penalties for self-reported violations with corrective action and for equipment malfunctions when maintenance records are up-to-date. The bill also clarifies legal representation in enforcement cases (e.g., attorney general for state actions) and limits penalty claims to five years from when the violation was known.
Maddy summarySB 517, introduced by Senator Angel M. Charley, allocates $100,000 from New Mexico's general fund to the Department of Health to create a program providing new parents with items that support safe infant sleep, such as sleep sacks or safe sleep gear. The program will operate during fiscal year 2026, directly benefiting new parents across the state by offering free, practical resources to reduce sleep-related infant risks. Any unspent funds by the end of fiscal year 2026 will revert to the state's general fund. This bill focuses on making safe sleep resources accessible without cost to families.
Maddy summarySB 423 requires the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze the costs and impacts of "major rules" (those costing $10 million+ annually or significantly affecting industries/communities) before they take effect. It mandates that all state agency rules must receive the governor’s approval and automatically expire after five years unless renewed by the legislature. The bill also defines "major rules" and requires agencies to provide detailed cost-benefit analyses, including effects on state revenue, compliance costs, and alternatives. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations, the governor, and legislative committees managing rule oversight. The changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in rulemaking.
Maddy summarySB 299 requires New Mexico's Secretary of State to send written notice to county commissioners in a legislative district within 15 days when a state representative or senator's seat becomes vacant. This bill directly affects county commissioners, ensuring they are promptly informed about vacancies in their district's legislative office. It amends existing law to establish this notification process, replacing the previous requirement for the Secretary to notify only the affected legislative office. The bill is procedural and does not alter substantive policy or create new obligations beyond this administrative notification.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJR 11) proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to allow school board elections to be held simultaneously with partisan elections (like those for governor or Congress), rather than requiring separate voting dates. It directly affects all New Mexico school districts, voters in those districts, and the state's election administration. The key mechanism is a constitutional change requiring voter approval at a general election after legislative passage. If approved, it would remove the current constitutional requirement that school elections "shall be held at different times from partisan elections." The resolution is pending voter approval after passing the Senate and committee stages.