New Mexico governor signs public safety bills into law
SANTA FE, N.M. – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed six new public safety proposals into law, even though it was technically one bill.
It was just two weeks ago when state lawmakers unveiled their omnibus public safety package. It’s a collection of six previously-vetted proposals, all working to improve public safety in New Mexico.
15 days later, those six bills are now state law. The largest, and arguably most impactful, part of the package is an expansive plan to rework the state’s criminal competency laws.
The courts will now have more options when dealing with suspects who are deemed incompetent to stand trial – instead of simply releasing them back on the streets.
“What we created was a pathway, two pathways. One for those who are seriously ill and potentially dangerous, and the other pathways for individuals who may get treatment and have their issues addressed in a more appropriate way than it has been over the many years,” said state Rep. Christine Chandler.
The public safety package also includes a proposal to ban devices converting semi-automatic weapons, like a handgun, into a fully automatic weapon. They’re already banned on the federal level, but now state prosecutors can take on those cases.
The package also expands the state’s DWI blood test laws, increases the punishments for shooting threats – now the same as a bomb threat – adds an extra three years in state prison for trafficking fentanyl and enhances the penalties for stealing cars.
“This was thoughtful, smart, and a dedicated effort to address the most serious issue I believe the state is facing,” said Lujan Grisham.
The biggest criticism of this public safety package is that it doesn’t go far enough, especially since it doesn’t address juvenile crime. But the governor pointed out the session is not over yet.
“We have 30 days, plenty of time. I’ve seen these bodies in an hour figure out very complicated issues. There’s a lot more to be done,” said Lujan Grisham.
For many state lawmakers, that means juvenile justice reform. Law enforcement leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for serious changes to the Children’s Code to get a handle on violent juvenile crime.
“As far as violent crime in Albuquerque, the thing that we could do most to move the needle is reform, is juvenile code fixing,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
Despite their repeated pleas, a bill expanding the list of violent crimes where juveniles can be charged as adults, and lowering the age of serious youthful offenders to 14, is still stuck at the starting line.
“We need to get in committee and get this ball rolling. And again, I’m hoping the Democrats now are going to be like, ‘OK, what else can we do to really address crime?’ Let’s answer to what New Mexicans really want, what the DAs want,” said state Rep. Andrea Reeb.
Democratic leaders say they are willing to discuss juvenile justice reform but suggested there is a big debate on the table.
“We’ve got to think about why 14-year-olds are committing these crimes. Are they inherently born bad people? Are they inherently born criminals, or are they a product of their upbringing? What’s going on at home? Where are the parents?” said Speaker of the House Javier Martinez. “We’re also very cognizant of making sure that we don’t discard these kids and throw them away. They deserve better.”
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